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

[Leshaface]

Yay so glad Izzy did good on both rides! And such cute PP with Ariel Every single time we did a PP picture, we would always point in the photographers direction and say, "Look Calvin!" and every time the photographer would always call his name out and that's how he would always look! It felt like a friend was taking our picture!

Can't wait to hear about BoG!

 

[jc040404]

Seeing the pictures of Izzy just exploring are the best! Seriously missing those sweet baby days with my guys now. There's no better place to let them wander around a bit. (Well, when it's not crowded anyway!) It's incredible how those little spots you didn't think much of will bring sweet memories as they grow.

Too bad that the first night was a little rough for her. I hope it got better when she adjusted to being there. Your room looks great with the changes, but I miss the old bedding! Of course we just pulled it off and didn't use it, but I loved the big turtles. At least I think there were turtles, right? Now I'm just confused. Nice changing area anyway!

Awesome seeing what Dug was up to at the same time!

I'm glad you didn't have any issues leaving things on the stroller. I remember the PTR talk about that. We had the strangest things go missing during our stroller days, but it didn't happen enough not to leave stuff. Good to know you were ok!

Interesting about the FP+ after the ride being down. I was wondering how that would work out. Izzy is adorable with that little band on her wrist, btw! Sounds like she's doing great on the rides, too. She's at such a sweet age to just take it all in and enjoy looking around.

Hoping to keep up this time! I forgot half of what I was going to comment about, but I love following along with your first visit as a family of three.

 

[Dugette]

Oh boy!! Can't wait to see more of your lunch!! And I'm glad she was so good on the rides!

And PTR has begun! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3224380 FINALLY! lol

Coming right up on the lunch! And YAY for the PTR (as you know, I'm there!)

Aw, Izzy's first Disney rides! Good choices for your first day. Can't beat The Little Mermaid and Peter Pan's Flight!

Yeah, they were good picks. We discovered she really likes any slow-moving dark rides, so just perfect. Plus, her first ride was a "first" for us too, which was neat. And her second ride was my childhood (and adulthood?) favorite.

I'm sure the Be Our Guest Fastpass came in handy. Nothing like skipping the lines and going straight to your meal.

Yes, yes, yes! The picture I have doesn't really capture how long that line was. I never, ever would have tried to wait in that with a toddler! And it felt pretty cool to just stroll casually past the masses of people waiting...

So well behaved on the rides for her first trip, I hope that continues!

Yes, she did great on rides! She wasn't as fond of shows, but was loving the rides. In hindsight, I would have skipped some shows in favor of more rides.

What a bummer about your first ride being down! But it's good that at least you were able to get on it later, along with Peter Pan. Those are two great first rides for a little one! Her pictures with Ariel are just precious

It figures that the first ride would be down. That was a theme on our first trip together in 2009. First ride of the day - broken! And thanks on the Ariel pics!

I definitely found this Gaston on Instagram and follow him now. I love looking for Disney CM's on there, they post such great pictures!

That is hilarious! I'm not on IG, but maybe I should be. I bet you see some cool stuff from the CMs.

Just found your TR following along! We stayed at the Poly last July, it was beyond words, amazing! Gotta love that monorail access. Your DD is so cute and doing so well for such a little one. It certainly is different getting ready for the parks with a little one. I felt like I missed so much this time when we went with DD for the first time. But, at the same time I felt like I saw things I never slowed down to see before. I can not wait to hear more about your trip.

That is very well-put about missing things/slowing down. I totally agree. I checked out your TR over lunch. Only got through the first two pages so far, but I love hearing about another toddler staying at the Poly! How old was she - just over 2? It amazes me to see her sitting in a chair and eating off a plate and using a refillable mug! What a difference a few months can make, I guess!

Yay so glad Izzy did good on both rides! And such cute PP with Ariel Every single time we did a PP picture, we would always point in the photographers direction and say, "Look Calvin!" and every time the photographer would always call his name out and that's how he would always look! It felt like a friend was taking our picture!

Can't wait to hear about BoG!

Thanks! Oh, that was smart to use his name for them. We must not have done that much, since I don't remember them using her name. Or maybe we just got photographers that were very proud of their attention-getting sounds.

Seeing the pictures of Izzy just exploring are the best! Seriously missing those sweet baby days with my guys now. There's no better place to let them wander around a bit. (Well, when it's not crowded anyway!) It's incredible how those little spots you didn't think much of will bring sweet memories as they grow.

Hey, glad you're caught up! Aw, following your reports makes me sad at how fast they grow up! They were just little babies themselves, it seems! I know that I can't get over Izzy being 16 months now and a little person that walks around, interacts with her environment, does things like helping me unload the dishwasher, etc. She couldn't even sit up not all that long ago! Crazy!

You're right, I'm sure we'll have sweet memories of a lot of these random moments.

Dug also pointed out that Fast Pass+ helped to make that Hub-wandering time possible, since we didn't have to rush off to get on a ride and/or collect Fast Passes immediately, as we already had them lined up. Very true.

Too bad that the first night was a little rough for her. I hope it got better when she adjusted to being there. Your room looks great with the changes, but I miss the old bedding! Of course we just pulled it off and didn't use it, but I loved the big turtles. At least I think there were turtles, right? Now I'm just confused. Nice changing area anyway!

Awesome seeing what Dug was up to at the same time!

Her nights did get better. I think partially adjusting and partially us wearing her out! I liked the old bedding too, but the new is nice also. I really liked that new bathroom counter area!

I'm glad you didn't have any issues leaving things on the stroller. I remember the PTR talk about that. We had the strangest things go missing during our stroller days, but it didn't happen enough not to leave stuff. Good to know you were ok!

I'm glad it was fine for us. I was pretty nervous at first, but it got to be pretty routine. And the stroller parking areas often had CMs fairly actively working them, so I felt like - maybe - that would deter any stroller/stuff-snatchers.

Interesting about the FP+ after the ride being down. I was wondering how that would work out. Izzy is adorable with that little band on her wrist, btw! Sounds like she's doing great on the rides, too. She's at such a sweet age to just take it all in and enjoy looking around.

It really was a great age since she was actively interested in watching what was going on around her. She's always been on the observant side, so this was great for her.

Hoping to keep up this time! I forgot half of what I was going to comment about, but I love following along with your first visit as a family of three.

Thanks! I do that a lot (forgetting what I was going to comment on). No worries.

 

[Dugette]

So, with Izzy situated snugly between us and the solo diner, we got her set up with her placemat and bib and all.

Dug and I both have foggy memories of this time frame, but it wasn’t the most relaxed part of our trip. He was using his phone to try to fix our Fast Pass+ situation and he was having problems with it. I think he was having internet connectivity issues and finally decided to give up and just try to do what we could later, since our window had closed. Meanwhile, I had lifted the high chair over the table and gotten Izzy set up by myself, which would have been easier with help, so I was probably annoyed with him and he thinks he had snapped at me about something or other. Clearly, this was important stuff since we remember so much!

I believe that I also really had to use the restroom, but didn’t want to miss seeing our food delivered on the fancy cart. I think Dug had used the Tangled restrooms before we came here – I wish I had! What was I thinking? Missing out on the Tangled bathrooms?! I probably just wanted to make sure we got to lunch on time and didn’t think it all the way through. Oh, well. I’ll have to see them next time, whenever that is.

Anyway, here’s the view from our table:



And the view of Izzy enjoying her milk (I think we also gave her more blueberries/raspberries, hence the stained face):



And the ceiling:



After a bit, our food arrived tableside:



The Cast Member gave it to us. Nothing particular magical about it, though (other than locating us via Magic Bands). And we realized, after he left, that we did not get the bottled water that came with Izzy’s kids’ meal. We decided to just deal with that later, before we left, since it was something we were just going to take with us anyway.

Also, we realized that we had to go get our own silverware and drinks (waters). Dug went up to do that while I got Izzy started with her food. He had to go all the way across the ballroom to get the drinks. The silverware on that side had not been restocked, so he had to trek all the way to the other end of the ballroom for that. Eventually, he made it back and I finally got to go to the restroom, hoping my food wasn’t getting too cold.

Dug loves French Onion Soup, so he got a cup of that:



For his main dish, Dug ordered the Braised Pork:



I got the Croque Monsieur (grilled ham & cheese). I substituted veggies for the fries that normally come with it:



This is one of the few places where we ordered off the Kids’ Menu for Izzy. Normally, we just shared our food with her, but this sounded like a good option to get her some veggies she likes. We got her the Mickey Meatloaf:



She apparently really liked it. She used to really like meat when she first started solids, but she hasn’t eaten much of it lately. However, she was going to town on the meatloaf. She ate some veggies too. And some of our food. She didn’t clean her plate, but it wasn’t a bad deal at $8.50 for the meal (that we, of course, paid for with our heavily-discounted gift cards from Target – so really it was more like $6.50 true cost to us).

We both liked our food as well. Mine probably would have been better if I’d eaten it right away, but it was good. Honestly, like I said about the meal at Kona, it’s hard to really enjoy your food when dining with a toddler. You pretty much wolf it down while they’re non-needy so that you can be available again to tend to them once the food/cup throwing begins. Sometimes I can’t even remember what I ate. At any rate, we all enjoyed the food.

I picked a poor seat for myself, as I was facing a wall. Dug (and Izzy) got a better view of the ballroom. Oh, well.

After we finished and got Izzy cleaned up, we went back to exploring the place. We checked out the rose:



It was very crowded in that area. I wouldn’t like to be eating there because there would always be people crowding around your table.

Izzy and I admired a Christmas tree (you can see her little magic-banded arm pointing):



Looking at the “snow” through the window was neat:





Some details from the Christmas tree:





The other side room was pretty cool as well, featuring a great centerpiece:





After looking around the place, there was one thing left to do: ask for the bottle of water we hadn’t received. At this point, we hadn’t had the best luck with Cast Members being particularly friendly, so I wasn’t really itching to ask one for something that they would just have to take my word for. I scanned the CMs standing around that room, looking for the friendliest one. I saw a guy that was finishing up helping another guest with something and he seemed cheerful – I went straight to him. He was more than happy to take care of us and ran off to acquire our water, no questions asked. Yay! Dug said the other day (and I agree) that this was the first Cast Member we encountered on this trip that really lived up to what we’ve come to expect of a Disney Cast Member. He came back and gave us the water and was super nice about it. Finally, a happy CM!

On our way out, we decided to make another restroom pit stop. Dug went first while I waited with Izzy. Here she is enjoying the exciting little bottle of water:



Here’s the restroom area we were waiting in:



Izzy was having a good time peeking over at the nearby diners. Then, a mom with a toddler came over near us, also waiting for her husband at the restrooms. I can’t remember details, but I know we started talking about our daughters. I think hers just turned 2 and they were celebrating her birthday at Disney. I wish I could remember more of the conversation, but I know it was really nice and fun to see the difference 8 months can make.

Dug came out, so I left him with Izzy and the mom/toddler duo while I went to the restroom. I think they kept chatting. I believe, once I came out, that I took Izzy in for a diaper change before we headed out.

On our way out:



Up next: Splash pad and surprise fun with characters as we attempt to leave for naptime.

 

[Leshaface]

That place is so gorgeous! And I especially love the photo of you and Izzy checking out the Christmas tree. So darling!

Yay for a nice CM...FINALLY! How sad that it took that long to find one. And even sadder that you had to look around the room to find one that appeared 'Happy'!

 

[AprilRenee]

Eating with a baby gets easier even in a few months. Caden is so much more like a kid now at the table instead of a baby. I prep his food, hand it over, and then enjoy mine. He doesn't chuck it overboard, he drinks from a real cup then nicely sets it down so it doesn't spill. Much better! Lol
So there's a light at the end of the tunnel!

I can't wait to eat there (aka look around. Lol) the food actually doesn't sound all that exciting to me.

 

[anniebabymu]

Joining in! What a little cutie you've got on your hands! Adorable!

Just hang in their with the "eating with toddlers"... it sure is a fun ride, but will eventually get better! One trick we learned when out to eat one night when our oldest was little (after overhearing the table next to us do it!) is to order their food as soon as you sit down, before you order yours! Pretty much all kids menus are the same, so you have an idea already of what to get them! Their food comes out first and you do all the cutting and all that jazz before yours ever comes out! You do still have to eat yours quickly, but at least you get to eat it when it's still hot! Ha ha!

When we ate at BOG our last trip we got to sit RIGHT next to the windows and got to watch the snowfall the whole dinner It really is beautiful! We're going to try to attempt the FP+ for BOG in May... so I'm glad to see it worked out well for you!

Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip

 

[JillianLeigh]

I hope that happy CM is the start to a lot more magic for your trip!!

 

[Imagineer5]

Back to 3 updates!! WOOHOO!! So glad Ariel and IASW were both a lot of fun, and BOG lunch sounds great - i haven't been for lunch just dinner, so that is cute how they deliver. Too bad the CM's were so-so and also made you move Izzy. Sounds like you were just a bit frazzled by the time you sat down. Why didn't Dug take Izzy to the bathroom for a diaper change while you were going?? LOL. It's amazing what 8 months brings to babies. Just looking back at photos from the last few months and Aria just keeps on changing, growing up, becoming more and more aware and fun. I just love it!

Anyway, can't wait to read more!

 

[jc040404]

Be Our Guest is such an incredible place. Love seeing it again! The details on the Christmas tree are so cute. We weren't very impressed with our lunch there, so we haven't been back since the AP preview.

It's too bad that you couldn't really enjoy your food, but it's nice to see that Izzy seemed to be a fan. You've already been told a few times that this part will get better. Enjoy the chaos for now.

Yay for finding the first pleasant CM of your trip. Crazy that it took so long though! Hope there are more in the future of the trip.

 

[Jackiemarie21]

It's amazing the changes kids go through the first few years. Charlotte had been 2 for about a month and a half when we went. Even between now and then there is so much more she can do. It's really amazing!

BOG is so awesome! We did dinner there and it was great. When kids are Izzy's age dining out is hard, but it gets better quickly!

 

[dtr_angel]

oh my goodness I was so far behind! I'm all caught up now, cannot wait to read more! Congratulations on scoring cheap tickets to Hawaii!!

 

[Majordis]

Izzy is just too darn cute!! Love her picture with Ariel. Glad you finally met a friendly CM.

 

[Dugette]

That place is so gorgeous! And I especially love the photo of you and Izzy checking out the Christmas tree. So darling!

Aw, thanks! It's really beautiful in there.

Yay for a nice CM...FINALLY! How sad that it took that long to find one. And even sadder that you had to look around the room to find one that appeared 'Happy'!

I know, it was so weird! Normally the vast majority seem to be in pretty good spirits, but we just ran into a couple non-cheery ones and a bunch of just-doing-my-job ones, so the negative ones kinda dragged everything down with no one pulling it up. Until this super nice guy!

Eating with a baby gets easier even in a few months. Caden is so much more like a kid now at the table instead of a baby. I prep his food, hand it over, and then enjoy mine. He doesn't chuck it overboard, he drinks from a real cup then nicely sets it down so it doesn't spill. Much better! Lol
So there's a light at the end of the tunnel!

That's so impressive that he drinks from a real cup! When did he start that? How did you do it? She's a pro at the straw sippies and likes to play with open cups, but I don't know how I'd keep her from soaking herself, the way she tips them all the way up to drink!

She has gotten better lately at not tossing things overboard. Poor Bailey doesn't have nearly as much food raining down on her from the highchair these days (don't worry, she's not starving, Izzy likes to add extra dog food to Bailey's bowl lately!) I actually gave her a little bowl of corn the other day and she ate out of it, rather than tossing it off the high chair, so that was good! Making progress. It has improved in the 1.5 months since the trip. But we've still got a ways to go.

I can't wait to eat there (aka look around. Lol) the food actually doesn't sound all that exciting to me.

Yeah, I think going there is more about the ambiance. We went for lunch since the dinner menu didn't really appeal to me. And lunch was good. Nothing to rave about, but good. I did like that they had veggies as a side.

Joining in! What a little cutie you've got on your hands! Adorable!

and thank you!

Just hang in their with the "eating with toddlers"... it sure is a fun ride, but will eventually get better! One trick we learned when out to eat one night when our oldest was little (after overhearing the table next to us do it!) is to order their food as soon as you sit down, before you order yours! Pretty much all kids menus are the same, so you have an idea already of what to get them! Their food comes out first and you do all the cutting and all that jazz before yours ever comes out! You do still have to eat yours quickly, but at least you get to eat it when it's still hot! Ha ha!

We only ordered from the kids menu a couple of times for her, but that's a good idea. What we've done is similar - bring pouches and munchies for her and get her started right away. The trouble is dragging it out long enough that we have time to eat. Sharing some bits off of our plates generally buys us some time. But, when she's done, she's DONE. So, we've got to time things carefully.

When we ate at BOG our last trip we got to sit RIGHT next to the windows and got to watch the snowfall the whole dinner It really is beautiful! We're going to try to attempt the FP+ for BOG in May... so I'm glad to see it worked out well for you!

Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip

Funny you say that. As I was posting the pictures, I was thinking to myself, "Why didn't we sit by the windows?" We were on the opposite side of the room. Would have been a much nicer view! Well, I guess I sat us where we did because it was right by where the high chairs were stored. Ah, priorities! I wish I'd found a window table instead, though.

Yes, FP+ was really smooth! Even though our pre-order disappeared, it went well. It made us feel like VIPs to be strolling casually past the long line of people that was at a standstill. Can't imagine waiting in that, especially with a little one.

I hope that happy CM is the start to a lot more magic for your trip!!

Yes, we do encounter some other more "magical" ones, but there is still one pretty bad one coming this day. Why work at the "guest service" desk if you don't like serving guests? Yeah, so that's still coming...

Back to 3 updates!! WOOHOO!! So glad Ariel and IASW were both a lot of fun, and BOG lunch sounds great - i haven't been for lunch just dinner, so that is cute how they deliver. Too bad the CM's were so-so and also made you move Izzy. Sounds like you were just a bit frazzled by the time you sat down. Why didn't Dug take Izzy to the bathroom for a diaper change while you were going?? LOL. It's amazing what 8 months brings to babies. Just looking back at photos from the last few months and Aria just keeps on changing, growing up, becoming more and more aware and fun. I just love it!

Anyway, can't wait to read more!

It was weird that they made us move Izzy because she wouldn't have been in the way at all (it was a very wide outside aisle she was near). And there really wasn't room for high chairs (without moving a real chair) anywhere else, so it was tight. Oh, well. I was a bit frazzled at that time. For sure. On the diaper change, I'm pretty sure it was a "Oh, hey, we probably should change her diaper" moment. Easy to forget the little things in WDW. I think I saw the changing area when I went into the restroom and it occurred to me then. Aria looks like such a little girl now! It really is amazing how fast things happen at this age. Izzy has constantly been doing things that amaze me...that I had no clue she knew how to do. (For example, she's got a cold right now and yesterday she went over to the Kleenexes, took one, wiped her nose, brought it over to the trash can, opened the lid, and put it in! What?! There have been a bunch of things like that lately).

Be Our Guest is such an incredible place. Love seeing it again! The details on the Christmas tree are so cute. We weren't very impressed with our lunch there, so we haven't been back since the AP preview.

It's too bad that you couldn't really enjoy your food, but it's nice to see that Izzy seemed to be a fan. You've already been told a few times that this part will get better. Enjoy the chaos for now.

Yeah, it was a good experience overall. You know, just thinking back on it now, I realize I forgot to mention something. We'd thought about getting a dessert, but I decided not to, because I figured they might bring us some of the "grey stuff" because our anniversary and Izzy's first visit were noted on our reservation. Nope. Oh, well. I guess it was just a counter service lunch, so my expectations were probably too high. It was nice and I'd like to go back sometime.

Yay for finding the first pleasant CM of your trip. Crazy that it took so long though! Hope there are more in the future of the trip.

Yes, there will be more. I felt so weird when people would overhear Dug & I talking about the bad CMs, because they'd probably just think we were real grumps, since most are so good. But it really was quite a streak of bad luck. The one coming up still makes me mad to think about it. Grrrr.

It's amazing the changes kids go through the first few years. Charlotte had been 2 for about a month and a half when we went. Even between now and then there is so much more she can do. It's really amazing!

BOG is so awesome! We did dinner there and it was great. When kids are Izzy's age dining out is hard, but it gets better quickly!

Wow, so she was just over 2. That really is amazing. I think, for me, it's easy to get caught in the trap of thinking that the first year was jam-packed with development (rolling, crawling, walking, etc.) and the second year not so much - but it still is, just in different ways. I'm glad to hear it gets better! I feel bad even complaining, as I know we do have a pretty good diner - I know that Imagineer5 has had much more difficult things to deal with with her daughter - but it's still tough when you really want to enjoy your dining experience.

oh my goodness I was so far behind! I'm all caught up now, cannot wait to read more! Congratulations on scoring cheap tickets to Hawaii!!

Thanks! Glad you're here and caught up!

Izzy is just too darn cute!! Love her picture with Ariel. Glad you finally met a friendly CM.

Aw, thank you! I'm so glad that I found a really nice CM for that. I didn't want to end up feeling bad about asking for something and I was worried about that, based on the experiences thus far.

 

[AprilRenee]

That's so impressive that he drinks from a real cup! When did he start that? How did you do it? She's a pro at the straw sippies and likes to play with open cups, but I don't know how I'd keep her from soaking herself, the way she tips them all the way up to drink! She has gotten better lately at not tossing things overboard. Poor Bailey doesn't have nearly as much food raining down on her from the highchair these days (don't worry, she's not starving, Izzy likes to add extra dog food to Bailey's bowl lately!) I actually gave her a little bowl of corn the other day and she ate out of it, rather than tossing it off the high chair, so that was good! Making progress. It has improved in the 1.5 months since the trip. But we've still got a ways to go.

it just happened one day! We were at panera and he needed water so I just gave him one of the little water cups to try and he was a champ. I kept trying with water to start and he only spilled a few times in the beginning and usually only when tired. That was probably in sept/Oct so about 18 months old, by nov he was only using sippies in the car and at other peoples houses. and after christmas I went ahead and packed up the sippies. He just uses real cups now. So much easier to wash!! Lol
The only issue is at restaurants. They always bring him a styrofoam cup with a lid and he thinks it's fun to take the lid off and bite chucks out of the cup. So I've started asking for a rocks glass from the bar for him to use. Most places have that or something else similar.

And yes. It's amazing how much they still develop from 12-24 months (and beyond I'm sure). I think it's not as obvious to outsiders cause it's mostly mental development. Like izzy and the Kleenex. They just suddenly know what to do. Recently Caden has started putting his napkin on his lap. I never told him to do that. He just noticed me doing it and copied. Too cute! I just love this age so much!!! (I feel like I say that at every stage!)

 

[Dugette]

I just love this age so much!!! (I feel like I say that at every stage!)

I'm pretty sure you do, but that's okay! I love it - gives me things to get excited about going forward.

That's really cool with the cups (except eating foam). I'll maybe wait a couple months and give it a try. That's awesome about the napkin in the lap too. Very cute! It amazes me how observant they are and all the things they mimic. Like earlier today, she was holding a cup up to the water dispenser on the fridge of her toy kitchen, then pretending to drink from it. Apparently she's seen me do that with the real one. So fun, but you really need to watch what you're doing around them!

 

[AprilRenee]

I'm pretty sure you do, but that's okay! I love it - gives me things to get excited about going forward. That's really cool with the cups (except eating foam). I'll maybe wait a couple months and give it a try. That's awesome about the napkin in the lap too. Very cute! It amazes me how observant they are and all the things they mimic. Like earlier today, she was holding a cup up to the water dispenser on the fridge of her toy kitchen, then pretending to drink from it. Apparently she's seen me do that with the real one. So fun, but you really need to watch what you're doing around them!

Lol but I DO love every stage!! (Except the 4 month sleep regression and the 15 month temper tantrums that I didn't know how to deal with. He still does them but I know how to handle them now)

Aww so cute about the water dispenser. Just wait, once she's tall enough she'll go get her own water from the fridge dispenser. Caden does now (he's kind of obsessed with water). Lol. If he finds a cup, he's in the kitchen getting himself some water. We have to be careful to put our dirty cups out of his reach. Lol

 

[Dugette]

Aww so cute about the water dispenser. Just wait, once she's tall enough she'll go get her own water from the fridge dispenser. Caden does now (he's kind of obsessed with water). Lol. If he finds a cup, he's in the kitchen getting himself some water. We have to be careful to put our dirty cups out of his reach. Lol

Oh, funny. But, now that you say that, I can totally see her doing that at some point! She's tried to when I'm holding her and standing near it. Her big obsession right now is Cheerios. She opens the cabinet they're in, takes the box out, opens it, takes the bag out, and hands it to me to pour into her snack cup. Crazy!

 

[Dugette]

After leaving the Beast’s castle, we headed over here:



We figured we’d give the splash pad a try before heading out. If we got soaked, at least we were on our way back to the room.

We switched Izzy’s shoes from the Minnie Mouse tennis shoes to the jelly sandals, so that we wouldn’t get her main shoes wet. Dug stayed with the stroller and took pictures while I went in with Izzy.

She enjoyed exploring. I held her some of the time and let her wander some of the time. We both managed to avoid getting soaked, just really got misted. My back got a bit wet, since I was bending over to her during the sprays. I also realized her face was still pretty dirty, despite wiping her down after lunch, so I used the water to clean her up. Multi-tasking!

Here’s some pictures Dug took:











After she seemed satisfied, we went back up to where Dug was waiting. I guess I kept carrying Izzy, even though we had the stroller. That happened a lot. Often, it was because she wanted me (she was in a very mommy-all-the-time phase during the trip, but not as much now).

So, we started our attempt to leave the park for (late) naptime and who should we see coming down the walkway but the big bear himself:



He waved and Izzy was awed. And who wouldn’t be – a giant teddy bear just walked by! That’s the Disney magic that she was there for!

But, wait, there’s more! Tigger was bounding down the path too! He was having a great time, bouncing away. Funny how Pooh was being carefully escorted by his handler and Tigger was on his own, footloose and fancy free! (Maybe this is an example of a great CM!) He was so fun to watch, just frolicking and having a good time with everyone. Including patting Izzy’s head:



I don’t know what she thought of being patted by a giant cat, but what a fun and unexpected character meet!

Okay, so that was awesome, but we’re really leaving for naptime now. Look, we’ll even take some farewell pictures:





But, oh wait, a parade:



And Izzy’s hero was right there – Minnie Mouse! Well, we had to take advantage of this opportunity. What’s another few minutes' wait for a nap? I’m pretty sure that Izzy actually pointed to Minnie.

Kids were gathering around Minnie to dance. I noticed a CM that was making the parents keep them a certain distance from the float, though, so I made sure to hold onto Izzy in order to avoid getting in trouble with a CM. I’m pretty sure that, if I’d let her go, she would have climbed right onto the float and into Minnie’s arms:





After her close encounter with Minnie, I put her up on my shoulders to watch the action. Donald came by too:



I remember, during this time, fighting back (happy) tears. I’ve never really been much of a parade person. Obviously, we didn’t plan to watch this one. But the combination of the “Celebrate” music with Izzy just having a blast dancing around and seeing her favorite characters was pretty powerful. This was the kind of memory we were hoping to make with this trip. All the stress of the morning was wiped away with these special moments.

After the parade started wrapping up, we really had to go. A parting shot of the castle:



And a PhotoPass shot where you can’t really see the castle :



And we were off to the monorail, all of us exhausted and ready for a nap!

Up next: The monorail misdirection. And the non-nap. What? I didn’t say it was all roses and sunshine!

 

[AprilRenee]

Oh, funny. But, now that you say that, I can totally see her doing that at some point! She's tried to when I'm holding her and standing near it. Her big obsession right now is Cheerios. She opens the cabinet they're in, takes the box out, opens it, takes the bag out, and hands it to me to pour into her snack cup. Crazy!

Hahah! Cute!! I love that she wants it in her snack cup and doesn't just eat from the bag!