Complete!! - 10 days with 2 kids, one a Disney nut, the other, well, not so much

[justhat]

This is my first trip report and I figured it was a good time to get started since it was my son's first trip and we didn't get too many photos of him so I have to have a way to document that he was there. 3 months old and he already suffers from 2nd child syndrome with the lack of pictures.

Anyway, for those of you who don't know me, here's who's involved:

Me (Justine)-26yo SAHM of 2. As a result I'm a pretty laid back, go with the flow kinda person.

DH (Joey)-also 26, but far from a SAHD. He's an anesthesiolgist in the making, currently in his medicine intern year. Unlike me, he's not so laid back and more of a WDW commando.

DD (Madison)-2.5yo. She's the Disney nut. Loves all things Disney and has been talking about this trip since our trip to DL last May. Unfortunately for her she doesn't quite realize that they're not the same place and has been telling me that she'll be going on the Alice, Monsters Inc. and Heimlich's Chew Chew Train rides.

DS (Henry, aka Henry the Octopus for all you Wiggles fans)-turns 3 months 4 days into the trip. He's the 'un-Disney' fan. Well, to be fair, maybe it's just that he loves his sleep, more than any baby I've ever met, and just wants to be in his bed sleeping at all times. Tonight, for example, he was asleep for the night at 5:30pm. So needless to say, spending all day outside in the sun in Florida was not his idea of a great vacation and he let us all know it whenever he could.

Time frame-November 1-10, with the 5th-7th at Vero Beach. These dates were dictated by my husband's job, which required us to put in a request for 2 week blocks of vacation time last April. We wanted October but got 10/31-11/13. Close enough I guess. The reason we came back on the 10th was to make the trek up to NJ for our son's christening on 11/12. I mention that only cause I feel as though it might come up during this trip report. Maybe if you're lucky I'll post some photos of the christening at the end. Mickey and Minnie were there. Well, imposters anyway.

Where-This is the crazy part cause my normally super-cheap husband decided we should stay at the GF (garden view) from 11/1-11/5, then CR Concierge, 14th floor, 11/7-11/10. VB was 11/5-11/7 cause we could get an ocean view inn room for only 10 points/night on weeknights. DH's inner cheapness came out there, though I can't figure out why since the rest of the trip cost so much it seemed silly to worry about a few bucks at Vero, but whatever.

I think that's all the background info anyone would need (though I'm new to this so maybe not) so I'll move onto the actual trip. Oh, we live in Washington, DC if that's at all of interest.



November 1 - After a fun night of trick or treating we got up around 5:30am to get ready for our 7:59am flight from Reagan National Airport to MCO. We drove to the airport and did curbside check-in then I took a rolling carryon, diaper bag and DS in his infant carseat into the airport while DH drove to the economy parking lot with DD, her carseat, and the stroller, which we keep in a rolling stroller bag. The bag looks somewhat like a golf club bag, in that it's black, long, and skinny, so we often get the "you can't take golf clubs to the gate" comment. Somehow we seemed to avoid that today, or so we thought.

Plan was for me to go to Cinnabon and pick up some breakfast for DD and DH, but I make a pit stop at a new Starbucks for a frappacino. When my turn comes I learn the blender is broken. Well I waited about 15 minutes so I decide to order something anyway and get a hot chocolate, apple, and a banana nut muffin. I somehow manage to carry the infant carseat (with my child sleeping in it), the rolling bag, and the hot beverage and make my way towards Cinnabon only to find out that it shut down. So I stand where it used to be and drink the hot chocolate while I wait for DH and DD. They arrive and head back to the Starbucks where DD proclaims she's not hungry so they return.

We finally make our way to the security line where we meet Theodora, a wonderful employee of Delta, who tells us that our golf clubs cannot come to the gate with us and we must check them. We explain that it's a stroller and she tells us strollers are not allowed to be brought to the gate either and we must check it. Now, if we hadn't flown many, many times with our daughter maybe we would have believed that but since we have gate checked our stroller tons of times we did not. We politely argue and she takes on a hostile tone, rambling on and on about gate checking not being a priviledge, that we'll get a $10,000 fine for taking it to the gate, we don't know what we're talking about, blah, blah. Bottom line, she's not letting us go to the gate with it and insists that my husband check it at the ticket counter. She had become quite nasty so we decided it was best to go along with her. Problem is we're taking ME once we arrive at MCO and if the stroller is checked then we won't have it till our luggage arrives in the room and we planned to go to the MK that afternoon so we'd like to have it. Whatever. So now I'm alone to go through security with both kids and all the gear.

I ask the TSA worker who was so kindly helping me with getting everything on the conveyor belt why I was not allowed to bring my stroller to the gate. She gives me the look and starts asking coworkers. Soon a crowd forms and they all start saying to each other "I bet it was Theodora who told her that, she's always saying stuff like that and starting trouble." They ask me to point her out and confirm that it's Theodora, then tell me that there has never been any such rule and even if we have the largest stroller in the world they will manually search it if it doesn't fit through the scanner. (Side note, we have a Chicco C5, which is essentially an umbrella stroller, so nothing large and it does fit in the scanners, so not even an issue.) They also add that she does not work for the TSA but rather for the airline and they have nothing to do with her. It's clear she's not well liked.

I get to the gate with the kids and gear and ask the gate agent if there's any way I can get my stroller upon arrival in MCO and they ask what happened. I repeat the whole story and they're horrified. Apparently the gate agent I met is not exactly friends with Theodora either, but is "very, very close" with the supervisor whom she was meeting in 35 minutes so she plans to report back to him. She manages to track down our stroller, which my husband had already checked, and promises to gate check it for me and bring me the claim tag as soon as she gets it. She and every other Delta and TSA worker tell me there has never been a policy to not allow strollers to the gate. Strollers, wheelchairs, and carseats are always allowed to be gate checked. We board the plane and soon after a flight attendant brings me the claim check and a $25 coupon from Delta for our troubles. Score. We honestly didn't want anything other than our stroller at the gate so it was a nice surprise and good customer service gesture on Delta's part.

We bought our son a seat on the plane so we sat 2 and 2, me and DS behind DH and DD. I nursed DS right before we took off and he slept all the way to Atlanta. DH's kid was awake the whole flight. Our stroller was waiting for us in Atlanta as promised so we picked up that and DD's carseat (also gate checked) and headed to our next gate. Took a potty break for DD and bought her some candy in the gift shop (hey, I wasn't sitting with her!) and some Advil for myself (minor headache). Nursed DS right before plane #2 took off and again he slept in his carseat the whole flight. DH's kid fell asleep this time too.

After getting on our ME bus (which was immediate btw) DH decides that we should split up since the bus was stopping at the Poly first, then the GF. You see, we had ordered a DDE card but it hadn't come yet so we called to get a temp card from Epcot. We had a dinner ADR at LTT around 4:30pm so we needed the card before then. It was maybe noon at this time. DH thinks that I get off the ME bus at the Poly, with DD, and walk to the TTC, take the monorail to Epcot, pick up the card, then meet him and DS at MK guest relations so we could get our APs (we are on month 11 of the APs but lost them after our last trip so we had to get new ones issued). I think it's a ridiculous plan and think we should just all check in together at the GF then go pick up the card at Epcot and head back to the MK. DH whines about wasting time (Disney commando mode has already set it) so I give in and get off at the Poly. It took us forever to do all of what I described above and it was hot and I wanted out of the jeans I was wearing so I tell DH we're going back to the GF to change. He wasn't happy about it but agreed. It worked out well cause DS was hungry (not sure what DH was thinking, keeping a nursing baby by himself) and DD got some monorail stickers from a nice CM at the GF monorail station. He also blew bubbles and sang with her while we waited for the monorail.

Got to MK in time for a few rides on Buzz,

DD and Nick and DS's barefeet dangling in the Bjorn
AstroOrbiter,

DS waiting for me and DD since I thought he'd fly out of the rocket
Space Mountain (just DH), and the TTA and then headed over to LTT. Dinner was good and the Chip who was on duty that night remembered us from our last WDW trip in March. Phenomenal memory I think considering how many people they see a day there. "Chip" remembered what table we sat at, that my mom was with us, that the baby was new (though given his size I guess that wasn't too hard to figure out), and most importantly DD's stuffed alligator, Nick. To convey these thoughts he (or maybe she) had to write it all down on napkins. Well needless to say, I was impressed by Chip's memory and we saved the napkin notes for DD's baby box.

Chip "talking" to us through the napkins

Pluto and Nick

After dinner we did some Fantasyland stuff, POTC (which DD did not like very much), several rides on Goofy's Barnstormer,

DD getting measured for the ride

and then headed back to the GF for bed. DS was more than ready. His normal bedtime at home is 6:30 and if he's not in his bed by 7pm he's a ball of terror, with a 1-2 hour crying bout. It was around 7ish, maybe later, and he was annoyed, but not crying like I expected. I had been carrying him in the Baby Bjorn most of the day but switched to a sling then and he fell asleep on the way back to the resort. I never used a sling prior to about a month ago so this was all new to me, but DS needs dark to sleep and the sling could sorta cover his face so I figured I should try it out.

We called for bedrails but they never came so DH slept with DD to keep her from rolling out of the bed and DS slept in the crib (a real crib, not a pack n play which surprised me). That meant I got a bed to myself! It was a little chilly when I went to sleep so I made the thermostat a bit warmer and got in bed.

Day 2's report will pick up with my middle of the night feeding with DS, but that will have to wait till tomorrow cause it's after midnight and I know I'll be kicking myself in the morning when I'm exhausted. I promise none of the other days will be this long. Really.

ETA: I forgot to mention that the park was empty when we got there. It was cloudy and I think rained before we arrived so maybe that sent people home, but there were literally no waits for any rides in the MK.

 

[rie'smom]

Great start!!

 

[Alice28]

Yay Justine! Lovin it so far! Glad you got your stroller- Theodora sounds like she was a real peach!

 

[Cass]

I hope the supervisor had a word with Theodora!

Great report so far, looking forward to more.

 

[Minniespal]

Excellent start

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Great start, Justine! Good to see Nick having such a great time!

 

[dizagain]

Awesome report so far, Justine!!! Theodora needs to get a life! LOVING THE PICTURES - keep em coming!

 

[justhat]

Yes, Nick did indeed have a great time. He got plenty of photos with his favorite characters and ate lots of green food. Obviously his favorite color is green since he is green. At least according to my daughter.

November 2 - We started off our day early. 1am in fact when DS woke up for a feeding and I noticed it was still chilly in our room and his hands were cold. I fed him and adjusted the thermostat again. 5am feeding and he was dowright icy. Checked the thrmostat and as I made it warmer it got colder. It was now at 61 degrees. Brrr.I took him in my bed at that point and made a mental note to mention this to the front desk.

We had an early ADR at Chef Mickey's. 7:10am in fact. That was my wonderful husband's idea. Planning to be anywhere at 7am with 2 little kids is not my idea of vacation, but DD is a Mickey nut so I decide to take one for the team. As we all saw it was a bit challenging to get ready by then and we ended up checking in at CM's at 7:40.

Waiting for our table. Notice Nick is on a leash. We had a scare this summer and thought he was lost so I thought the leash would be a good idea to keep him attached to DD.

We were seated quickly and DD got her autograph book ready for Mickey. We saw all the others at LTT last night so just waiting on Mickey. And wait we did. Minnie, Pluto, Chip, and Dale all made their rounds and we saw Goofy in the front while we were waiting for our seat, but no Mickey. And no sight of our server either. She was very nice, but also very slow. We had been at the table over an hour, had long ago finished our meals, so we decided to go. Only problem was obtaining the bill from the elusive CM. DH goes into commando mode again and sends me off on the walk to the MK with the kids while he stays behind to pay. Since we're slow walkers. I was going to ask about Mickey, since it is his restaurant and all, but there was a huge line at the podium with people checking in so I decided against it.

Luckily the park was still pretty empty today (I highly recommend the first few days of November in terms of weather and crowds) so getting there after opening wasn't so bad. Did some of the Fantasyland stuff that we missed yesterday, including Mickey's Philharmagic. Henry hated this show. I figured I'd use the time to nurse him but I guess the 3D glasses scared him cause he kept looking up at me with the sad mouth face babies make. Then the water splashed him (I thought I had him covered but I was wrong) and it all went downhill. Luckily I got him to stop crying and stay that way the rest of the show so we didn't disturb others, but it was tough. We then headed for a potty break. DD was adamantly opposed but hadn't gone all day so we resort to bribing her with the Daisy Duck plush toy that she wanted.

After the potty we decide it's a good time to head to MGM. We had an early dinner ADR at 50'sPTC around 4:30 so we had a few hours before that. This place was empty too so DH rode ToT and RnRC a few times, we took a popcorn and Icee break, and then saw the Playhouse Disney show. DD loved it but DS added this to his list of "Hate It" attractions. DD fell asleep right after the show so we just kinda hung out in some stores and the baby care center till it was time to wake her for our ADR.

Still holding the Disney propaganda that was distributed after the Playhouse Disney show.

Oh, during the Icee break we overheard a great comment from the family in line behind us. The husband offered to wait in line with his wife to help carry the drinks and her reply was "Uh, I used to be a waitress. I think I can handle carrying 3 drinks." Truth was that she had trouble carrying just 2 drinks so we think she should have taken the husband up on his offer.

Dinner was good and she actually liked the choices on that new standardized kids menu. She got the grilled chicken strips but after eating all the strawberries and a few bites of chicken she declared she was full. Our waitress bribed my daughter to eat some green beans by promising a sticker. She complied and got to choose a sticker. Well, she's a slow chooser so the waitress decided that since she had yellow on her dress she wanted a yellow sticker. Unfortunately she wanted a green one and cried the rest of the meal. I should have knowns she wanted green. After all, Nick is green so that's her favorite color, but silly mommy didn't think. Maybe cause mommy was eating standing up to continually rock DS who had also put PTC on his "Hate It" list.

We left MGM after dinner and headed to DTD to do some shopping. That was pretty empty too so it was a pretty enjoyable experience. DH commented that it was the first time he's been able to walk through WoD without being trampled by hundreds of other guests. After a ride on the carousel for DH and DD we head back to the hotel. (Let me just point out how annoyed DH was about that ride in DTD. Remember I said he's cheap? Well the idea of paying to ride that carousel when we could ride the one in MK for free was very distressing to him.) We have pretty early nights, though not quite early enough for DS. He was annoyed but fell asleep on the bus.

Got back to the resort where we stopped at the front desk to tell them about the temp of the room and never getting the bed rails. Both situations were remedied quickly. Then I got a phone call from my mom asking about the RSVPs for the christening. She's a total party planner so this was a big deal to her and she was going way overboard with this christening and now entering panic mode since it was less than 2 weeks away. This comes up periodically during the trip so I thought I'd throw it in. She just couldn't figure out why this gala event was not my top priority at the moment.

But the day ended on a good note cause we had a great package in our room from Feralpeg (Peggy). She had posted about giving plush toys to a family going to WDW in November and had chosen us as one of the families! Madison and Henry got Mickey and Ariel plush toys. Like I said earlier, Madison's a Mickey nut she she chose to keep him for herself and let Henry have Ariel. Well, she said Ariel was for him but she really kept that one too. Thanks Peggy! The kids love their toys and Mickey has gone to school with Madison everyday since we've been back.

On to day 3....

 

[justhat]

Well the small grouch is napping momentarily so I figure I'll try to get some of day 3 done while I have a chance.

November 3 - Today starts off way too early again. As I was putting DS back in his crib after a feeding around 2am, DD wakes me up to use the potty. I pick her up kinda awkwardly around the stomach, lifting her over the bedrail and DH's sleeping body and get her to the bathroom. (Had the bedrails but she wanted to sleep with Daddy anyway so he was stuck in her bed once again.) Once seated on the potty she starts gagging and vomiting. Well, nothing came out, so dry heaving I guess. I ask if she feels sick, she says no so I attribute it to the way I carried her from the bed to the potty. Tells me she already pottied with Daddy before bed so I figure she just woke up in a delirium and bring her back to her bed.

2 hours later-DD repeats above events with DH. 45 minutes after that-repeat. Another 30 minutes go by and, well, you see the pattern forming. So around 6:30am we decide to just stay in the room for the day since DD is sick. But about an hour later she seems perfectly fine and back to normal. She's running around the room and eats a box of Fruit Loops without any trouble. Maybe it was all that buttery popcorn she ate yesterday. So we shower, get dressed, and head to AK for our 10:10 ADR at Donald's Breakfastosaurus.

Yes, another character meal. We don't normally do so many, but DH booked all the ADRs and thought it would be a great way to not waste time standing in line for photos and autographs. Not sure if he was right or not when you factor in the time it took us to check in, eat, wait for characters, etc.

This meal was a momentous occasion cause it was the first time DS added something to his "Like It" list-Donald Duck! Not sure if it was that bright duck bill or what, be he actually evoked a smile out of the mini-grouch. Try to disregard my expression in the photo-DH is great for capturing people in less than attractive poses.

After breakfast I take both kids on Triceratop Spin while DH gets a FP for EE. He also finds out that there will be a Nemo show on Sunday so we discuss what time we'll leave for Vero and if we'll try to see it. After EE we measure DD for Kali and she's too short so I skip it and do the Maharajah Jungle Trek instead. Then we stop for some ice pops, and some milk for DS, before we head over to Epcot.

Not sure what that face is about.

DS hasn't really slept or nursed well all day and is consequently very grouchy so I decide to stop at the baby care center when we get to Epcot. I met a super nice woman in the nursing room who told me how she used to buy a timeshare week at BWV from ebay but this year she rented a house offsite instead and loves it. Her terminology was a bit off, but she was really nice and I have to admit that she made the house sound somewhat appealing. DD had fun in the kiddie room.

We head to the Seas with Nemo and Friends to check out the new Nemo ride. Very cute I think! I loved the end where they project Nemo and his friends into the real aquarium tanks. Very creative. We took a picture but it didn't come out so you'll just have to ride it for yourself. We had time to check out the shark area

then headed to dinner at Le Cellier.

Dinner was pretty uneventful, which was a good thing cause it means that I was not standing and rocking DS. Cheese soup and filet were both very tasty. DD ordered something on the kid's menu that she ended up not eating but sharing our steaks instead. I suggested she get the kiddie steak but she insisted that she wanted something else. Oh well. We walked through the WS to check out some of the F&W Festival booths for dessert (DH got a chocolate creme brulee at France) and then headed back to the resort for the night.

Next up, Day 4!

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Glad you found something for Henry's "Like it" list. I don't know what it is about Donald Duck, but Lucas was taken with him also.

 

[justhat]

SL that's funny that Lucas liked Donald too. Who would think he'd be the popular one with the younger crowd!?!

 

[Alice28]

Chocolate Creme Brulee? Oh yum!

 

[justhat]

November 4 - We actually got a good night of sleep and were on a crowded bus to MGM by 9am. A very nice 11yo boy gave me his seat when he saw I was wearing DS and holding DD's hand. I sat next to his mom with both kids on my lap and it turns out she's practically a neighbor, from Fairfax, VA! We chatted a bit and I also found out her son was born at 36 weeks too at the hospital where DH did his OB rotation in med school. She told me her son was big for his gestational age, 6 lbs. 4 oz., but still had to spend 11 days in the NICU but now he's fine. She said a lot of schools in the DC area have a couple of days off so she thought she'd meet some locals.

**As a random fyi, my son was also born at 36 weeks and I think that in part contributed to his dislike of our vacation. It was more like bringing a 2 month old than 3 month old in that he just wants to sleep all the time, doesn't do the social stuff of a 3 month old, sees all stimuli as an annoyance and disturbance of his sleep rather than something to be remotely interested in, etc. It's hard to remember at times cause he's huge, over 15 pounds, but when I think about the fact that he was really 9 weeks instead of 13 things make a little more sense. Also, he's a great baby at home, but I realized that what makes him so easy at home (sleeping all the time, liking his own bed, etc.) makes him a challenge on vacation cause I just can't stick to his home routine. I used to be a huge proponant of bringing a baby to WDW since DD went at just under 3 months and loved it and didn't cry once the whole trip, but DS has given me a new perspective.**

Anyway, we hit VotLM first, then DH did RnRC and ToT, again, and then headed to yet another character meal at H&V. This one was Playhouse Disney friends, a must do for DD.

DS, otoh, well, his favorite part of the meal was sleeping in the sling while waiting for our table.

Just to show how much he loved the breakfast...

After breakfast we got some photos with Mike and Sulley then went to Playhouse Disney Live! cause DD wanted to see it again. DS was back to sleep in the sling and happily enjoying his favorite activity when an acorn fell on his head while we were waiting in line. Needless to say he was less than thrilled and kept that mood going throughout the show. I spent it standing in the back rocking him. DD had fun though.

Muppet Vision and LMA followed Playhouse Disney and then we got an Icee and grabbed a curbside spot for the parade. DD just loved this parade cause she's a big Cars fan. This is her when she saw "Lightning Maween" and Mater grand marshalling.

Picture the same face for the Toy Story and Monsters Inc. floats. She's actually a big Pixar fan in general so she liked this parade best.

We left after the parade and headed to the MK. The monorails were down so we were all herded to the ferry at the TTC. DD liked the 'boat', but DS hates wind so add that to his "Hate It" list. DD fell asleep at some point at the MK so we walked around a bit and DH got his hair cut at the MK barber shop. His stylist was Mary and I think she did a good job. Michel was cutting another dad's hair while he was holding his son on one of those leashes. He set him on a chair and before he even sat in the barber chair the kid was out the door and running fast! DH made a quick save and the dad held onto the leash for the rest of his cut. Then we went back to the resort to change before dinner at Narcoosee's. Had to take the boat again so DS was less than pleased.

I was really excited about dinner cause our ADR was for after DS's bedtime. My plan was to change him for bed, nurse him to sleep, then put him in the stroller, roll him to dinner where he'd sleep through the meal and I'd eat in peace. DD took a big nap so she was in a good mood so things were working out well. So I thought anyway.

Things were going as planned till DD saw DS in the stroller, which she decided she wanted to use so the whining began. Yes, maybe we should buy a double stroller, but DD has always hated them and prefers to walk so we thought it would be a waste. Not that night though. So she's whining and as soon as we get outside the wind wakes up DS who is now very annoyed that his sleep was disturbed. Things were going downhill quickly. I must have looked frazzled when we checked in cause a very nice CM went out of her way to help out. She told the other CM, who was earning his ears, that we'd need the stroller at the table (which he was not happy about for some reason) and then got DD all sorts of stuff to keep her entertained. That included stickers, extra crayons, some cut up fruit, and a booster seat for Nick. I went to the bathroom which had a nice lounge area and nursed DS again and he fell asleep. I put him back in the stroller where he slept the rest of the meal and DD was so happy with her stuff that she didn't care where he was. That nice CM came by and told me how great DD was doing and asked if there was anything else she could do. I was very grateful.

The food was great and afterwards DH and DD went outside to watch the fireworks while DS and I went back to the room to pack up our stuff since we were leaving for Vero the next day.

Day 5 will have to wait till tomorrow since it's pretty late and I know someone will be waking me up to eat soon.

 

[fabumouse]

I am loving your TR, Justine! And that photo with Nick and Pluto totally made my morning.

 

[meloneyb21]

Subscribing! Love the TR!

 

[justhat]

Who would think I'd get a subscriber!?! Your daughter is precious meloneyb!

Okay, sorry for the lapse but my son has just been so sick the past few days that I have not had a chance to get on the computer. It's just a cold, nothing serious, but he is having a rough time with it. His nose is so stuffed and dripping into his throat, which must be very sore cause everytime he coughs it's accompanied by a very sad face and a cry. Hopefully it's reached it's peak and he'll be better soon. Right now at least he seems content sleeping in the carseat so I guess we'll leave him in there again tonight. Don't worry, we took it out of the car.

Anyway, back to the TR.

November 5 - For once we don't have any ADRs to get to this morning, but only cause we're checking out of the GF and heading for Vero Beach. DH wanted to "save time" and pick up the rental car right away so he and DD did that as soon as they were both bathed and dressed. We rented from Alamo, so there was a shuttle that picked them up at the GF and took them to get the car. Meanwhile I was responsible for getting the bags all ready, searching the room, and calling bell services to bring the luggage up to the front entrance of the resort. Oh, and DS fell asleep in his crib while I was getting us ready to leave so I had to pluck him out when bell services arrived for the ride to the entrance. He was less than thrilled about that.

This part was kind of interesting as I had one of those CMs who likes to talk about new stuff happening. He mentioned that there's a Monster's Inc. attraction coming whenI told him that DD didn't understand why the rides she went on in DL (like Monsters Inc.) were not in WDW now. He said he thinks it's going to be a comedy show. Also talked about the Nemo show and Nemo ride. Then he said he checked in an imagineer a few days prior and he asked her about CoP but she said she wasn't allowed to say anything. Well later that day he saw her husband and he told him that since he doesn't work for WDW he's allowed to talk and that they're getting rid of it and moving it to the Smithsonian. In its place will be an Incredibles attraction. I personally think that sounds odd. Maybe not the getting rid of it part or making an Incredibles attraction, but well, I live by the Smithsonian and I haven't heard that rumor up here at all, not does it seem that likely. But hey, what do I know about WDW and logic? His next 'rumor' was that they'll change the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway into the Piston Cup and make it a Cars themed attraction. I think it's a cute idea, but again, it's just his rumor and what do I know.

On the ride up to the main building the CM also points out that my phone is ringing. It was my mom, probably trying to ask me something about the christening. I thank him for letting me know but avoid answering it. The christening is already way overboard and I just don't want to deal with it right now.

We meet DH and pack the car then he drives it over to the self park lot while I wait at the GF entrance with both kids. I call my mom back only to have DD tell me "Mommy, I wanted to just keep my boon (aka balloon) there for 1 minute." as soon as I get on the phone. I look up and there's her $6 Mickey balloon resting on the ceiling of the driveway overhang. Gives me an excuse to hang up the phone and I ask a CM to help me get the balloon back. Luckily for all it did not go up to a high ceiling so the CM climbed on one of those old cars they have out front and pulled it down. The string broke so it wasn't her fault. Actually mine since I knew the string was slightly torn in one spot. We thanked him and DH walked up a few moments later.

We head to MK where we realize it is packed, nothing like the previous empty days, so we ride the TTA, get a couple of character photos, then go to Casey's for some hot dogs to eat while we wait in line to get DD's hair cut at the Main Street Barber Shop. I forgot to mention that DH got his hair cut there there day before when DD fell asleep in the stroller before dinner. I guess I'll go back and amend that when I'm done with this day.

Waiting for her turn in the barber shop.

After a 30-40 minute wait, we got a very nice hair stylist, Janet who came on to relieve Michel. Her name tag said she was from a town called Onondaga Hill, NY so DH asked her where that was. She said "yeah, NY". He said "Right, but where, upstate?" She said "yeah". He said "Oh, okay, I meant what's it near." She just kept saying "Uh, yeah, NY." Then she finally tells us that's not her real nametag. She was new and they made a mistake on her nametag so they gave her another Janet's (that was her real name) and she was hoping no one would ask her where she was from. We all laughed and that explained why it seemed like she had no idea where her hometown was.


She did a great job with DD's hair, especially the green paint. DD chose green cause Nick is green so therefore all things in her life must be green.

As soon as the hair was done we left the MK and got our car at the GF self park lot (which is far from the main building!!!) and got on the road to Vero Beach! DD stayed awake the whole ~2 hour drive, chatting to herself in the backseat. She had some guidemaps we picked up on the way out of the GF so I guess they were good reading material for a non-reader.

We found VB without much trouble and checked in easily too. We rented points from another DIS member and had never done that before but it was great. We had a deluxe ocean view inn room and it only cost us 10 points/night and we paid $9/point. So even though we were a little nervous about how all that point rental stuff works out, we couldn't pass up paying only $90/night for the room. We parked in the garage under the main building (that's where the inn rooms are) and brought our stuff up to our room on the 2nd floor. We explored the resort for a bit and then decided to get some dinner.

There are 2 restaurants at VB-Shutters and Sonya's. Sonya's is the "nice" restauarant while Shutters is more casual. We decided to try Shutters that night which was kind of a mistake since it was the only night Sonya's would be open, thus our only chance to eat there. Oh well, a reason to go back. The food was tasty and the atmosphere was fun (we got pirate bandanas). It was Sunday night so after dinner we got the kids in bed and watched Amazing Race and Desparate Housewives. Such simple things make me happy.

Day 6 ahead....

 

[justhat]

November 6 - We woke up early as usual. I guess sleeping past 7 or so is a thing of past for me. Hard to accept as I was never an early riser. Add it to the list of sacrifices one makes to be a mom.

We head down to Shutters for breakfast and it was good, but our server wasn't really the friendliest. The kid cereal said it came with fruit so we asked for it when it didn't come out and she told us we didn't order any. We apologize and say we thought it was standard since it was on the menu and she mumbled something about that referring to bananas but they were out of them so oh well. We ask for strawberries as a substitute and got them, but she didn't seem too happy. I should add that she was a definite anomaly as the rest of the staff was so pleasant.

After a stop back in the room to change we head down to the pool. I asked DH to grab the camera and he couldn't find it and decides it's in the car. He really doesn't want to go get it but does bring the keys with him so I'll stop nagging about it. VB has a great kiddie pool/play area. It's a big pirate ship called the Tiger Lily and has tons of water jets spraying from cannons and a small slide.

**You may notice that these pictures do not have people in them or those that do show us wearing regular clothes, not swimsuits. This is because DH never got the camera. **

VB also has a neat regular slide in the regular pool that DH decided to go down.

You can sorta see it in this photo. I take both kids to the big pool to watch him when a man sliding ahead of him splashes water out over the side, right onto sleeping DS in my arms. You can imagine his reaction. Well that guy got in trouble with his wife and every woman sitting around the edge of the pool for splashing a baby . I felt bad for him since it really wasn't his fault and he had no idea it even happened. He looked pretty bewildered when everyone started yelling. A very nice family gave me one of their towels to dry DS and held him so I could dry myself off too. We stayed away from that part of the slide after that.

VB has lots of activities, many for kids specifically but a lot overall. First up was a fish find in the Tiger Lily play area. A CM threw some plastic fish and the kids ran around to find them, with the little ones like DD getting a head start. Every kid got a prize at the end, a "gold" pirate coin.

After that we played mini golf at Port Holes, where Nick got to meet other alligators.

Well, play is a very loose term. It was DD's first time and she really just wanted her ball in the hole she she proceeded to carry it to every hole and drop it in. By the end of the course, which luckily was only 9 holes, she consented to using her putter to hit the ball, though she still snuck in her hands when she thought we weren't looking.

The next kid activity was chalk art which DD loved. They brought out buckets of sidewalk chalk and let the kids draw all over the ground near the pools/mini golf. Again, each participant got a prize. DD was happy cause she got 2 since the CM told her she could pick one for her brother too.

We decide to grab some lunch now since it looks like rain would be moving in soon. To avoid eating at Shutters since we knew dinner would be there we went to the snack bar at the pool. The kids meal came in a little bucket with a shovel which DD thought was great. The family who loaned me the towel earlier saw me again and mentioned that DS was wailing for his mommy (he was with DH while DD and I cleaned up the chalk) so I took that as my cue to find them. We start eating as it starts raining so we pack up and bring everything inside to eat in the room. Just in time too as it was quite the storm. We finally make DD take a bath after lunch (she was holding out to keep the green hair) and then she passes out on the bed for a couple of hours. Worked out well cause DS was asleep on the other bed for a ~4 hour nap so I had some time to do the dreaded seating chart for the christening. Yes, can you believe that, I had to do a seating chart and place cards for a 3 month old's christening. Well the brightside was that we had no cell service in the room so I couldn't hear about who should sit where from my mom. We did miss the kid plate painting activity cause DD was sleeping, but we didn't mention it to her so all was well.

Dinner time and back to Shutters. The place is good, but 3 meals there in 24 hours is a bit much. DS got grouchy so I was walking with him in the hallway when I see that same towel family. The mom told DS to go easy on me. It seemed as though he listened cause then he fell asleep and I got to eat my meal in peace. After dinner and getting DD in her pjs I go down the gift shop to pick up some stuff for DD for Christmas. There was nothing to be found that actually said VB on it so I just got some Minnie stuff I think she'll like and called it a day. Got back up to the room to hear DS screaming. You'd think DH would have come to get me since he was apparently hungry and I'm the only one who produces food, but no, he just let him cry for the 45 minutes he was gone while DD ran around like a maniac (I walked around a bit too and talked to the CM in the store about VB). All was well after I fed him and we went to sleep.

 

[justhat]

I've gotta get in bed cause that human alarm clock will be going off way too soon, but might as well get started on day 7 first.

November 7 - We woke up to a very gray, rainy day in VB so we decided to change our plans from hanging out at VB all day to leaving after breakfast. We packed everything up and as we were loading up the car DH realizes that he cannot find the camera anywhere. Remember when I asked him to get it yesterday, and he never did? Well he should have cause then we would have known it was missing a day sooner. We literally unpack every bag we have and decided we had way too many things, but no camera. I suggest that maybe it fell out of the car when we arrived on the 5th and someone found it in the garage and turned it into lost and found so while DH is reunpacking everything in the garage I head to the front desk, with kids in tow. After a couple of phone calls the wonderful CM found my camera and is getting it brought over to us from some other building that houses lost and found. Mental note was made to write contact info on camera for the future.

The CM said it would be awhile before the camera arrived so we tell her we'll go to breakfast and then check back for it so off to Shutters we go for one last meal. I haven't mentioned this but everytime we checked in at Shutters the CMs had the hardest time trying to seat us. They'd stare at the restaurant map, look inside at the actual tables, look at us, discuss amongst themselves what a good table would be, look at the map again, and then after 5-7 minutes of this ritual they'd seat us. Today was no exception. As soon as we were seated we realized we forgot DD's Mickey balloon in the room so I run up to get it. Mousekeeping is already in there cleaning but I snag the balloon and head back to the table. DD then asks DH to take her to the potty. I know he won't take her to the men's room so I neglect to mention that our room is already being cleaned so that I don't have to take her to the ladies room. (Cause he'd only take her to the potty if he brought her back to our room.) He returns and tells me mousekeeping was in there but they used the potty anyway. I act surprised to find out about mousekeeping. In our fairness, it was only around 9:30am so not check out time yet.

After breakfast we pick up the camera and I convince DH to take some photos of the resort before we leave since we don't have any. That is where the Day 6 photos came from and here are some more.

I was told the beach does not normally look like this but we happened to be there during some stormy weather.

Note the handicapped ramp filled with sand.

Our room was the one in the corner, with a balcony, next to the 2 windows right above the roof.

We then pile into the car and begin the drive back to WDW. While DH I went over the seating chart for the christening with my mom. Great experience and it just made the drive fly by.

We arrive at the CR where a CM unloaded our bags from the car and brought DS and I up to the 14th floor to check in while DH and DD returned the rental car to Alamo. Check in went very quickly and smoothly and I was taken to our room, 4911, right off of the lounge and facing the MK. They had given us 2 pack n plays and when I saw it told them we'd only need one so a CM came in to take one out but had no idea how to unassemble it. I ended up doing it (and showing her how for the future) and she marveled at my knowledge. I had to laugh and explained that anyone with a young kid has way too much experience with those things. I checked out the great view and then went downstairs to let DH in since he didn't have the key to make the elevator go to 14.

That's EE and the ToL in the distance, with lots of zoom from my camera.

It was sorta rainy so we stopped in the concierge lounge to get some snacks and decide what to do with the rest of the day. Alvaro made a dinner ADR for us at Boma but we had about 5 or so hours to kill till then. I suggest going down to the monorail and asking to ride up front since I'd rather not risk going to a park and getting poured on. DH agrees so down we go. They only have room for 2 in the front so DH and DD go and I ride in the next car. At the Poly the other 2 seats open up so the monorail pilot lets me and DS in. DH gets a genius idea to get off at the MK since the rain stopped and though I protest at first, eventually I give in. Stupid, stupid mistake.

We decide to ride the train so we board at Main Street and ride till Toontown. We get off there cause DD saw the Judge's Tent and wants to "go on that Mickey ride". I explain what it is but she still wants to go. We go through Mickey's house and meet the Mouse himself with practically no wait then before heading into Minnie's house DD decides to stop at Chip and Dale's House (aka that little kiddie playground in Toontown by the train station). I convince her to ride Goofy's Barnstormer next since I fear the line building up if we stop in Minnie's House first and she agrees and we ride 4 or 5 times in a row. Now it starts to rain a bit so we check out Minnie's house. With about 300 other people. DD loved it cause she's got a thing for Minnie and truly believes this is where she lives, but she was persuaded to leave with the bribery of stopping in the County Bounty store. We ask which character line is the shortest and are told Donald and friends, which is around 10 minutes so we decide to visit him. His friends were Gideon and Mary Poppins. We were hoping for Daisy, another character DD idolizes from that Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show, but no luck. We didn't bring the camera or autograph book so we just get some Photopass photos. Luckily we also left the stroller in the room otherwise it would have been soaked.

DH thinks the rain is letting up a bit so we leave County Bounty and head towards the front of the park. He was wrong (go figure) and have to stop under a pin cart for shelter. DD buys a Minnie pin and is quite pleased with it. We somehow make our way to the teacups without being too drenched and ride it since there's no line. Of course there's no line cause everyone normal is going home cause of the rain!!! Not us though. We hover under the teacup awning for a bit then run over to Cosmic Rays. Lucky us, we snagged a front row seat for that alien entertainer, Sonny Eclipse. DH had picked up Pooh FPs while DD and I were on Barnstormer so he takes her to go ride that twice and buy 2 ponchos. What kills me here is that every single trip we buy new ponchos cause we lose and/or forget to bring our old ones! Oh well.

He finally gets back and we don the ponchos and head for the park exit. He was too cheap to get DD her own so instead he's carrying her under his poncho. Our plan was to go to the AKL bus and just hang out there for our Boma ADR, and hope we would be seated early. Well by the time we got to the Emporium I was soaked-DS was in the baby Bjorn under my poncho which made it stick out in such a way that water just ran off of it and onto my gauchos. And my sneakers, well, I must have stepped in every puddle between Cosmic Rays and Casey's. We decide to just head back to our resort so I can change and then if the rain stops we'd walk back to the MK to catch a bus to AKL.

As we're waiting for the monorail the sun starts to come out, but I'm so wet I say we're going back to the resort for me to change anyway. I leave DD and DH in the lounge and go to the room to change myself, DS into his pjs, and nurse him. I come back out to find out that DH is full from the lounge food and doesn't want to go to Boma. I was not happy about that since I had suggested that earlier but he was dead set on going and now he's full. I get some mini beef wellingtons and mini quiches (which were just soooo good I can still taste them) and we decide to go back to MK to see the fireworks.

We rode Buzz several times and I concede to let DH ride Space since there's no wait. I waited with the kids in the arcade and DD sees this Minnie keychain she wants me to get her. Only problem is it's one of those machines with the claw where you have to grab it out of a pile. Of course I failed on all 3 attempts so we spent the rest of our quarters on a cheesy space shuttle ride which she loved. Then she saw this photo cube thing where you can get 4 pictures of yourself taken in a booth and then they print them on this T shaped piece of paper, along with 2 pictures of Mickey or whoever you pick, and you fold it into a cube. I tell her we can do it when DH gets off his ride since he has a credit card on him and I don't (and it was $5 which neither of us had on us). She picked a design and posed for her photos and as soon as they printed out we were off to Fantasyland to catch Peter Pan before the fireworks. DD had declared Peter Pan is her favorite ride which was why we were running over there. Weird cause for the amount of times we rode Buzz and Goofy's Barnstormer you'd think it would have been one of those 2.

We started walking through Liberty Square when the fireworks started. We could barely see them so we attribute that to our spot and move towards the hub. Still can't see them. Now we realize it's the fog. It's so foggy that you can't see the fireworks at all. Amazing I think considering how bright fireworks are. The sky just had a tinted glow of each color, which was neat, but not neat enough to stand up and watch so we left. Stopped in the lounge for some desserts and then went to the room for the night.

Before I go to bed, much later than I planned on cause I ended up finishing this whole day, I just want to mention the room. It was very nice, don't get me wrong, but not as nice as the newly renovated regular (non-14th floor) rooms. Our bathroom was pretty old looking, they didn't change the doors or sink (and there's just 1 sink as opposed to 2 in the regular rooms), and there was only a shower, no bathtub. It wasn't a handicapped room so not that kind of shower, just a regular old shower. Not a big deal to us as we don't have a bathtub home either, but I just kinda thought there would be one in the room. The closet door is old and nowhere near as stylish as in the other renovated rooms. The room had a king bed and is smaller than the regular rooms cause the balcony is bigger, and I don't mind that at all, but I wish they had changed the doors and bathrooms to be like the regular rooms. Also, there is no couch in the room but since the lounge is next door that's not a big deal either. I'm not really complaining about these things, really just sharing the details cause I was surprised and would have like to know these things before I arrived.

Now off to bed as I see the baby stirring on the monitor and tomorrow I'll get to day 8.

 

[justhat]

Sorry about the delay again. Baby is still sick and now his sister is too. Right in time for the holiday!

November 8 - I wake up this morning and notice a small bump on one of my fingers that kinda hurts like a thorn would. Hmm. I dismiss it and we grab breakfast in the lounge and head to AK. DH really wants to ride EE again and DD is all about "Dinosaur Dumbo", aka Triceratop Spin.

Jersey week was now in full force as we found out when our bus was packed! Funny cause when I lived in NJ as a kid we never had all these days off in November. Luckily we were one of the first families in line at the first stop so we got seats. Well, I did, holding both kids on my lap. DH stood with the gear. I saw a 3yo girl board at WL and no one offered her a seat so she had to stand between dad and grandpa the whole ride.

First stop at AK was Flik.

DD is a huge Bug's Life fan so she just had to get a photo with him. Really, Heimlich is her favorite "Bug" but he's nowhere to be found so Flik will do. Commando DH ran ahead to get FPs for the safari while kids and I waited in line. Oh, and yeah, Nick is wearing a diaper in that photo. That day we heard lots of "Look! That alligator is wearing a diaper," comments.

Anyone know what is directly nect to Flik in AK? Yep, that's right, a tattoo stand! DD wanted this huge Minnie and Daisy tattoo that was the size of her calf but was quite pleased when the tattoo artist suggested one of each on either of her arms. The tattoos may have been the best money spent all trip cause she loved those things. After they were put on she walked around with her arms stiff for hours so that they wouldn't get damaged.

We decided to hit the Pangani Trails after that since we still had awhile for our safari time. We walked through pretty slowly and then made our way to the FP line for the safari. Tons of animals were out, including some very cute baby elephants. DH wanted to ride EE after that so we made our way over to Asia. As he was riding, DD fell asleep in the stroller and DS woke up hungry. Luckily the single rider line was short as it was challenging to hold DS and push the stroller through the hoardes of people surrounding the ride.

DH wanted to check and see if there were any Nemo previews today but then he scrapped that idea and we headed to a bench so I could nurse DS. We sat and rested awhile after that and then got a map to look for a place to eat lunch.

Typically we eat at Pizzafari but neither of us really wanted pizza that day so we walked around checking out each restaurant on the map. Everything had a huge line, except for that McDonald's place, where the Donald breakfast is. We wake up DD, always a scary thing to attempt, and order some cheeseburgers. I feed DS again. Sometimes I think he's got a hole in his stomach cause he's constantly eating.

After lunch we took some photos with the green dinosaur wandering around, cause Nick wanted to, cause they're both green.

Right after that photo, DD ran after DH, who was throwing out some trash, and tripped and scraped up her elbow. We didn't notice the scrape so we got in the very long line for Dinosaur Dumbo. DS, who hated it the last time, didn't seem to mind so much today.

Still not on the "I want to ride again list though."

Sometime during the line I noticed the big scrape and blood so we decide to stop in First Aid after the ride. A very nice nurse cleaned her elbow and applied a bandaid, which she loved. I was a bandaid nut too so I guess it's genetic. Little Mr. Grouch is hungry again so we go next door to the baby care center where I overhear some people talking about a Nemo show in 20 minutes. Good thing those nursing rooms were full and I had to feed him in that play room cause otherwise we would not have known about the show! I tell DH and we throw DD in the stroller and quickly run over there. We mentally thank a CM who told us about cutting through the ToL to get to Dinoland earlier in the day when we were on our way to McDonalds. So much faster than walking around the tree and navigating the crowds.

There's a huge line for Nemo but we get in and to our surprise were ushered to seats in the 2nd row! They were a little close, but overall a great view of the stage. I would sit in the 2nd section if I had a choice cause, like Tarzan, they utilize that aisle in the middle of the seats. The show was very cute, but they didn't allow any photography so we couldn't get any photos of it. Here's one of DS right before it started, doing his favorite thing -

They made an announcement about how they were in preview mode and wanted feedback, etc. and then it started. Then stopped. Some sort of technical difficulty I guess, but they figured it out quickly and restarted from the beginning. All was going well again till the end when Squirt got stuck and was dangling in the air. They had to stop the show again to get her off her line and then drag it offstage, but things resumed again pretty quickly. All in all it was a well done show. You even forget there are people carrying the puppets around cause they do such a good job.

Our last stop in AK is ITTBAB. Remember how I said DD likes Bug's Life? Well, she found out they had a show so she insisted we see it. She has seen it many times before as a baby and most recently on our last trip in March. Up until March she liked it, but on that trip she screamed hysterically and kept running from DH to me and back. Not sure who was going to protect her better I guess. I remind her that it's scary but she wants to go so who am I to stop her? She did get mildly scared in the show but nothing compared to DS. He was hysterical the whole show. Absolutely hated it, like every other show we've seen. Luckily the people around us had screaming kids too so they didn't seem to notice mine.

We leave AK then and head to MGM for our ADR at BD. We have some time for an attraction before dinner so DH chooses Indiana Jones. Well DS hated this show too so I end up leaving with him after the first 5 minutes or so and head to the baby care center to feed and change him. I was secretly kinda glad cause I have seen that show enough for the rest of my life. Now that I had a much happier boy I decided to go to the restaurant to check in and wait for DH and DD. The place was empty so we talked to some CMs for awhile and got one of our only family photos taken.

Dinner was good, though they substituted the yogurt and strawberries with green apples in DD's meal. Not a huge deal but she chose her meal based on the strawberries so we were expecting a complete fit when she didn't get them. Luckily she likes apples a lot so though she was about to ask where they were she was distracted by me yelling out "Oh look, apples!" Thank gosh it worked. I really wanted a dessert but DH reminded me of the free ones in the room so I skipped the flourless chocolate cake and waited till we got back to CR.

A babysitter and 4 kids were waiting for dessert in the lounge when we got back and the kids literally ran to the tray as soon as it was placed out and started grabbing at pastries with their hands. The CM was not happy at all and had to take the tray back and throw it out cause it was contaminated. I expect kids to do this so you'd think the babysitter would have too and been prepared, but no, so the tray was wasted. The CM brought out a new tray and told them to wait for the tongs before grabbing anything. We watched Wishes from the balcony with our mini desserts and then went back to the room for the night.


My mom is coming for Thanksgiving tomorrow so that should give me some extra time to finish up our last 2 days since I'll have someone to entertain my kids. I'm sure everyone is dying with anticipation!

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

I think it's great so far. I have a couple pictures of the castle with that crane in the background so they've been doing whatever they're doing since early October, at least.