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

[Leshaface]

We took DS to the Disney Junior show over at DCA back when he was 7 months old eek I'm sure he'd enjoy it much more now. Although it's probably going to be harder to contain him this time around.

Aw what a funny girl with the gold fish in her mouth.

YAY for being the rebel spy! Aw man, too bad you couldn't catch a pic quick enough!

 

[Dugette]

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?

Exactly - hoping she can get a lot of wear out of it. But totally not ready for this cold - it's in the 40's right now! I feel bad because I recently told Izzy that we'd go to the neighborhood pool again soon (she was begging, "Pool! Pool!"), not sure that will happen...

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.

Yeah, not liking salad or eating most meat would certainly limit your choices there, from my memory of it.

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.

Ah, I only know a few things because Dug made me watch all the movies at one point. And that is a little girl Ewok - I remember really liking them in the movie because they're like adorable little teddy bears. Dug actually wants to dress Izzy as an Ewok for Halloween this year and I okayed it since she loves bears and it's pretty close.

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).

Totally agree. Such a waste to make the kid wait in line when they could be having a good time elsewhere with the other parent.

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).

Seems like a good plan!

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

It was a pretty productive nap!

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

Yeah, it hit the spot!

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

It was pretty cool, indeed! Big surprise, though.

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

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

You know what's funny? I just scrolled through the previous page of updates and happened to notice that the picture leaving Toy Story Mania is Izzy in front of a giant crayon. Foreshadowing, I guess.

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.

I just thought it was funny that they jumped on me so quick for taking a picture when I didn't even slow down to do so (since Dug had warned me) - they are ON it, I guess.

Woo hoo rebel spy!

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

Exactly! That's pretty much like winning the ride, right?

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...

Oh, funny! It is pretty quick. By the time you register that it's you, the image is gone. Luckily I saw mine, though.

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

C'mon, keep up, Phil! Just kidding - I know I'm jumping all around here, given that I've taken two trips since the trip I'm writing about and all.

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

I agree, TSMM is really where you see the difference, especially being able to hop over to DHS midday and still ride FP. Of course, the problem with not having FP- is that you still need to do the dash at rope drop if you want to ride more than once and only have one DHS day. Luckily, we had two DHS days to ride on this trip.

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

For sure! Then I would have had two displeased companions.

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

I plan to enjoy it for as long as we can manage! And, maybe by then, she can go on the big rides with us!

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

Yes, the lounge would be a neat new experience, I think.

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

Ha ha, I guess you do have a Star Wars username, so there might be something...

We took DS to the Disney Junior show over at DCA back when he was 7 months old eek I'm sure he'd enjoy it much more now. Although it's probably going to be harder to contain him this time around.

Wow, yeah, he was really little when he saw it! At least he can dance around and stuff at the show - a bit easier for containment purposes, I guess.

Aw what a funny girl with the gold fish in her mouth.

So silly!

YAY for being the rebel spy! Aw man, too bad you couldn't catch a pic quick enough!

Yeah, it's such a quick little moment. By the time it registers that your face is up there, it's gone.

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Awe how cute is Izzy sleeping with that goldfish inher mouth! That is so sweet. I am glad Izzy enjoyed the Disney jr show. We skipped that last time but it looks like fun.

 

[Dugette]

Awe how cute is Izzy sleeping with that goldfish inher mouth! That is so sweet. I am glad Izzy enjoyed the Disney jr show. We skipped that last time but it looks like fun.

Nothing goes better with a nap than a goldfish.

I think it is a cool show and will probably be a lot of fun on future trips!

 

[Dugette]

Izzy and I arrived at our destination:



She was happy to get out of her stroller and explore. She had only been walking for a bit over a month at this point, so this was pretty exciting for her:







Oh, and look what she discovered:



Yes, that is a big slide! At this point, she had never been down a slide any bigger than that little one in the Dumbo waiting area. But she was ready to try and figured it out quickly:





She was going down over and over and over again. It was tough for me, though, because she was still so unstable and would fall easily, so I was trying to do both top-of-slide and bottom-of-slide helping. It was a workout. And there were lots of little kids that I was trying not to trip over. But Izzy was sure having a great time.

After Dug finished his double-header on Star Tours (nope, didn’t make Rebel Spy ), he headed over to join us:





Dug was lucky enough to see Izzy having a blast:





He also caught some video:

(click to watch)

A random picture of the scenery:



Izzy did not want to leave. She pretty much wanted to keep going down the slide forever and ever. But we did have other plans, so I eventually had to remove her:



She was NOT happy about this.

We saw this guy on the way out:



And soon enough, we were making our way through the non-lit Osborne Lights zone:



We popped into the Writer’s Stop to get some snacks on our way towards the park exit. We took them with us into the Baby Care Center. The very strangely located DHS Baby Care Center. You have to go into Guest Relations, look like you’re cutting the line, then go into a room that doesn’t look like it’s open to the public while people look at you funny. And, also, this door needs to be closed behind you – it won’t close by itself. We know, since we were sitting in the main area behind it and it would get left open when people came in and out - allowing those in the Guest Relations line to gawk at us until I jumped up to close the door again.

Luckily, the room was not crowded while we were there, despite a few people coming in and out. We were able to set up in the main room with the couch and enjoy a quiet few minutes with our snacks. Izzy checked out the TV:



My snack was a Mickey Ear Hat Brownie:



Dug got some sort of coffee drink, I guess:



And Dug got the ever-popular Carrot Cake Cookie:



We enjoyed our treats (and shared with Izzy) and then headed out for World Showcase.

Up next: A nice walk and checking out the Boardwalk Resort.

 

[Leshaface]

I totally forgot about this play area! It's always been closed everytime i've gone. Hopefully it will be open in January.

I agree about the Baby Care Center. I got some strange looks taking DS into some random room off to the side where no one else was entering. It's so nice and quiet in there.

Ooh, that cookie! I've seen it on another TR before, unless it was yours. Have you guys had it before?

 

[AprilRenee]

Still reading but commenting so I don't forget.

Yep that short term memory is nice. I fear we are hitting the end of that. He now asks for specific toys and new toys usually tend to be clung to and slept with and taken everywhere for days and days. If I don't GIVE it to him I'm usually ok. (Like if he sees it go into the cart....unless it's a car...then he must have it NOW or die!! Lol)

 

[AprilRenee]

I'm excited to let Caden explore those playgrounds. This one and the Dino dig area at AK. But I am not looking forward to the tantrum when it's time to leave :-( bleh!

Also, I am gonna HAVE to get one of those carrot cake cookies. Omg it looks so yummy!!

 

[Imagineer5]

Awww I love how excited over the slide Izzy was! Soooo cute. Have you spent any time over there since? I don't think you had a chance to visit the play area this past trip but maybe I missed it. It is tough being a solo parent when they are that age where they need you both to get on the slide and to get off!

Your treats look delicious! I do NOT miss having to use that BCC. i remember trying to nurse Aria in there - there are only two private stations and it was just SO cramped - and yes that door is awful! Sometimes there was a CM standing by it making sure it closed - I think one time I had to nurse her on the couch since the two rooms were occupied. Even with a cover I was not happy about that stupid door being left open constantly. LOL sorry for the rant, I just hated that BCC!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

man Izzy looks like she is having a blast! So fun to see them explore and experience things for the first time.

Definitely funny when you have to pull them away from something though as it is like "Stop having fun! We have other fun to get to!"

We had the exact same thoughts about the Baby Care Center there - totally felt like you were cutting the line. And when we went in there was literally no one in the actually baby center area so we weren't even sure if we were allowed to be in there so we had to go back into the customer service center to ask if anyone was working the baby area (and that really felt like cutting the line) - just very odd. definitely a different feel that the one at Magic Kingdom, etc.

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Oh the HISTKPG! One of my favorite memories from my trip as as kid and still on of my favs with Charlotte. Lots of fun to be had there! Izzy was so cute in the slide. You can really tell she loved it!

Yummy snacks! I wish I had a carrot cake cookie now! Yummy!

 

[Dugette]

I totally forgot about this play area! It's always been closed everytime i've gone. Hopefully it will be open in January.

Hope it's open for you. It's a nice place to let the little ones run around a bit, especially that corner that's more toddler-friendly.

I agree about the Baby Care Center. I got some strange looks taking DS into some random room off to the side where no one else was entering. It's so nice and quiet in there.

I know, you feel like you're sneaking into some off-limits place with a line of people watching you. Weird. But I liked the peace and quiet of all the Baby Care Centers - just a nice break from the crowds.

Ooh, that cookie! I've seen it on another TR before, unless it was yours. Have you guys had it before?

We have had it before, but you may well have seen it in other TRs, as it has a following. Super sweet, but super good!

Still reading but commenting so I don't forget.

Yep that short term memory is nice. I fear we are hitting the end of that. He now asks for specific toys and new toys usually tend to be clung to and slept with and taken everywhere for days and days. If I don't GIVE it to him I'm usually ok. (Like if he sees it go into the cart....unless it's a car...then he must have it NOW or die!! Lol)

Yes, I don't think Izzy would fall for that anymore. She might be happy to see it again, but I think she'd know it was already hers. I just got her a trike at a consignment sale yesterday and was going to give it to her for her birthday (in a week), but she saw it in the car next to her on the way home from daycare, so there was no taking that back from her. Also, Izzy LOVES cars, so she and Caden would get along (as long as there were enough cars to go around).

I'm excited to let Caden explore those playgrounds. This one and the Dino dig area at AK. But I am not looking forward to the tantrum when it's time to leave :-( bleh!

Also, I am gonna HAVE to get one of those carrot cake cookies. Omg it looks so yummy!!

Yes, we did the Boneyard (briefly) on this last trip. Fun place, but Izzy didn't care AT ALL about the sandbox part - she loved all the ramps and stairs. The nice thing is that, when you leave, you are likely going somewhere else super fun, so hopefully that will help. Back on this trip at 14.5 months it didn't, as she didn't understand. However, on our recent trip, I told her we'd be getting ice cream (Dole Whip at AK!) and she was good with that as a reason to leave.

Yes, the carrot cake cookies are a yummy treat!

Awww I love how excited over the slide Izzy was! Soooo cute. Have you spent any time over there since? I don't think you had a chance to visit the play area this past trip but maybe I missed it. It is tough being a solo parent when they are that age where they need you both to get on the slide and to get off!

No, we haven't been back since, but did go to the Boneyard this last trip. We will have to get back again. It's so cute to look back at those pictures and video, knowing her first "real" slide was at WDW. Yes, it was so much work going up and down with her at that age, but I really had to, since she stumbled around and nearly hit her head a bunch of times (especially at the top). But there were all the other kids coming up behind me, making it hard to go back down to catch her too. Worked out okay, though. I actually had a similar feeling at the Boneyard this last time - I think Izzy would have been okay to go down some of those slides (the tube slides), but I wanted to be there to catch her and there was no way to make it down from the top in time (unless I slid down first and hoped she followed me, but I didn't want to chance that). The things you think about as a solo parent...

Your treats look delicious! I do NOT miss having to use that BCC. i remember trying to nurse Aria in there - there are only two private stations and it was just SO cramped - and yes that door is awful! Sometimes there was a CM standing by it making sure it closed - I think one time I had to nurse her on the couch since the two rooms were occupied. Even with a cover I was not happy about that stupid door being left open constantly. LOL sorry for the rant, I just hated that BCC!

I don't blame you for hating nursing in that BCC! I was glad that we just went there for a diaper and outfit change (only nursing at night at the time) - it was not terribly private. At least all people saw was us snacking, though.

man Izzy looks like she is having a blast! So fun to see them explore and experience things for the first time.

She was having a great time! It is really fun to see them try new things for the first time - I think that's part of the draw of bringing young kids to WDW - so many firsts to experience. I'm so excited thinking of all the things she has yet to experience there!

Definitely funny when you have to pull them away from something though as it is like "Stop having fun! We have other fun to get to!"

Exactly!

We had the exact same thoughts about the Baby Care Center there - totally felt like you were cutting the line. And when we went in there was literally no one in the actually baby center area so we weren't even sure if we were allowed to be in there so we had to go back into the customer service center to ask if anyone was working the baby area (and that really felt like cutting the line) - just very odd. definitely a different feel that the one at Magic Kingdom, etc.

You're right - I think it was the only BCC with no CM working it. Very odd. Now that I'm remembering what it was like, though, I'm not as surprised that you couldn't get diapers there on your trip. All the others are so much better. The only one I stopped at this last trip was AK, since I remembered it was the best one!

Oh the HISTKPG! One of my favorite memories from my trip as as kid and still on of my favs with Charlotte. Lots of fun to be had there! Izzy was so cute in the slide. You can really tell she loved it!

Yummy snacks! I wish I had a carrot cake cookie now! Yummy!

I think I just missed it as a kid - I believe it opened later that year (MGM was new when we went). Fun place, though! Izzy began her love affair with slides right there. She is a huge fan of slides to this day.

Yes, we should all be enjoying a nice carrot cake cookie right now!

 

[dtr_angel]

Gavin loved the leaf slide too! Even at 21 months in May, Gavin needed help getting up and then being caught (and sometimes I had to hold his hands to help him slide, some of the slides aren't so slide-y) I think he will do much better in October & December now that he should be able to climb steps and things better by himself. The bone yard at AK was nice but all the slides involved steps so it was more work than fun I think haha.

 

[Dugette]

Gavin loved the leaf slide too! Even at 21 months in May, Gavin needed help getting up and then being caught (and sometimes I had to hold his hands to help him slide, some of the slides aren't so slide-y) I think he will do much better in October & December now that he should be able to climb steps and things better by himself. The bone yard at AK was nice but all the slides involved steps so it was more work than fun I think haha.

It's a fun little slide! Yes, some of those slides aren't slide-y at all (especially with sticky shoes)! I bet he will do much better on your upcoming trips. Izzy's so much more stable now and loves climbing. Yeah, the only slide we did at the Boneyard on our recent trip was a little one off to the side that was not very slide-y .

 

[Dugette]

We were park-hopping from DHS to Epcot at this point and there are a couple (non-car) ways to do so: boat or walkway. We decided to split up and have Dug ride the boat (to rest his sore back) and me walk with Izzy so the movement would get her down for a second stroller nap in preparation for our late night. Plus, I wanted to see what the walk was like and explore a bit.

It starts by walking around the waterway to get to path opposite the boat dock. Here’s where I was when the boat pulled up:



Entering the riverside path:



As you can see, it’s a nice quiet walk. (Side note – I did this again in August and noticed that the afternoon sun shines down on the path with no shade, so it is HOT).

Looks like Dug saw a turtle while boarding the boat:



Looking back on my walk, no boat in sight yet:



Looking ahead to the Swan:



Oh, looks like Dug’s boat pulled away from the DHS dock:



Meanwhile, I discovered the Boardwalk tennis courts:



More Boardwalk:





I stopped in to get a look at the pool:





The Creepy Clown slide:



Yikes!

Guess who was asleep by then?



Walked through the pool area:



Other than the creepy clown, it was pretty nice. I really didn’t know anything else about it besides the clown. But it was nicely themed and looked fun.

Then I went inside the Boardwalk Resort:



Checking out the view:



Their little gingerbread shop for the holidays:



Miniature roller coaster in the lobby:



As I recall, I had to take an elevator to get out the other side of the building (due to the stroller). There were a number of us with strollers waiting for the elevator and I think we crammed 3-4 of us on one ride?

And, speaking of strollers, I always find myself checking out all the different variations on strollers at WDW. There were some really interesting ones and I caught a picture of one (to the left of the bench):



The ones with the baby really high up like that are interesting to me, I guess.

Meanwhile, this was my kid in her stroller, sound asleep on the boardwalk:



I headed into the International Gateway, still ahead of the boat! Woo hoo, yay me! I walked through the first few countries and stopped in America. The Candlelight Processional was going on and I remembered seeing that some outdoor tables across the path had views, so I thought that would be a good place to sit down and wait. Unfortunately, the tables with good views were taken, but I was more interested in hearing than seeing, so I took a table in a quiet area that had a slight view through the trees if you stood up:



I sat and listened and relaxed while Izzy continued to nap. It was pleasant.

Meanwhile, Dug’s boat made it to Epcot and he was heading in:



Up next: Wandering World Showcase

 

[Dugette]

Izzy started waking a bit as I was relaxing:



Dug was walking past Morocco on his way to us:





Then Japan:



And soon he had arrived in the same country:



Candlelight Processional was still going on:



And look who was awake and making phone calls by the time he got to us:



A girl and her iPhone:



Actually, this is as good a time as any to throw this in. I can’t remember when this happened, but Izzy was often playing with my iPhone and using Siri to pull up all sorts of things. One time, when we took it from her, this is what was on the screen:



Aw, such a sweet toddler! Trying to order an “I love you, Mom” ring for me! I have no idea what she said to Siri, but that is how Siri interpreted it. Love it!

Anyway, back to the American Pavilion. When Dug arrived, we sat and relaxed for a bit. But Izzy was starting to get noisy (in a happy toddler way) and we didn’t want to bother other people in the area who were listening to the Candlelight Processional. It may have been my imagination, but I was starting to feel like people were casting glances our way. So, we moved on to Italy:



We wanted to check this place out:





However, we felt like Izzy was not in a great mood to go in there. She was really noisy and rather irritable, having recently woken up from her nap. We didn’t feel like we’d be able to relax and enjoy dining there without causing a disturbance to others. Plus, we had just had that snack before leaving DHS, so we weren’t staving yet either. So, we decided to just switch off going in to check the place out while the other waited with the stroller. Dug went first and took lots of yummy pictures:















Mmmmmm. We didn’t get anything, but I totally want to eat all the things now!

I went in after Dug and just took a quick peek around the place. Seems nice and we will have to make it back there sometime! Maybe while Izzy is napping in the stroller.

Back outside:





And on to Germany, with the little train village all decorated for the holidays:



Up next: Bear Hugs!!

 

[dtr_angel]

The walk from DHS to Epcot doesn't look too bad. I can see how it would be super hot in the sun though.

If it wasn't for the creepy clown pool, BWI would appeal to me more. It's definitely at the bottom of my list for deluxe resorts to stay at. We took a bus from somewhere to get to the boardwalk a few trips ago, I think it was to get to Kouzzina. We got lost trying to get through BWI.

So sweet Izzy was shopping for her momma

 

[Imagineer5]

That walk is so nice (In december vs. August for sure!). I SO wish the Boardwalk would update that pool. I am interested in staying there, but that pool just gets me. In the meantime we'll stick with the Beach Club. It's a cool location though. Glad you got to see the holiday decorations, they do a great job! Walking is always faster than that slooowwwww boat but I bed Dug was happy to rest!

Too bad you didn't head into Tutto Gusto but probably for the best if Izzy was in a mood!

I love the iphone screen shot. That is super cute!

 

[Denovagirl]

Wow, what a nice walk! I will have to check that out someday myself!

How funny that Izzy was doing some online shopping for you!!

 

[Dugette]

The walk from DHS to Epcot doesn't look too bad. I can see how it would be super hot in the sun though.

No, it's not too bad of a walk, but summer sun gets hot. Nice in the winter, though.

If it wasn't for the creepy clown pool, BWI would appeal to me more. It's definitely at the bottom of my list for deluxe resorts to stay at. We took a bus from somewhere to get to the boardwalk a few trips ago, I think it was to get to Kouzzina. We got lost trying to get through BWI.

I agree with all of that. Not my favorite, but it does have a nice location. And it seems that you can get good DVC point rental deals there, so maybe someday we'll try it.

So sweet Izzy was shopping for her momma

I still can't believe she did that!

That walk is so nice (In december vs. August for sure!). I SO wish the Boardwalk would update that pool. I am interested in staying there, but that pool just gets me. In the meantime we'll stick with the Beach Club. It's a cool location though. Glad you got to see the holiday decorations, they do a great job! Walking is always faster than that slooowwwww boat but I bed Dug was happy to rest!

Yeah, the clown probably deters a lot of people. I found the rest of the pool area was surprisingly nice, if you didn't look at that darn clown head. Yep, Dug was happy to rest for a bit. But that boat can be really slow, depending on loading, etc. This last trip I realized the secret is to take the boat from Epcot to the Boardwalk (first stop), then walk the rest of the way to DHS. Wish I'd thought to do that in time.

Too bad you didn't head into Tutto Gusto but probably for the best if Izzy was in a mood!

Yeah, gives us something to look forward to, I guess. We'd fully intended to go there, but in that moment, it just didn't make any sense for some reason.

I love the iphone screen shot. That is super cute!

The things Siri and a toddler can do together!

Wow, what a nice walk! I will have to check that out someday myself!

Yes, it's a nice, peaceful walk. It is a decent length walk, though, and I know you want to keep from overdoing it on your feet at WDW.

How funny that Izzy was doing some online shopping for you!!

Kids and their technology, huh?