Escaping Irene: A NY family "evacuates" to Disney! *Update 7/7 WWoHP*

[ddluvsdisney]

The fishing trip looks like fun! Your kids are so cute!

 

[klacey1]

Just caught up on the last two updates-- that baby-sitter sounds wonderful! Fishing is definitely not my thing either, but I love that the deluxe hotels offer activities like that out of parks! Really makes it feel like a true "resort."

 

[DrMomof3]

That looks like fun, I wouldn't be doing any catching, but the boys would love it. I'd be taking the pictures.

That was the day we left to go home.

I didn't catch anything. One nice thing was that you didn't have to touch anything unless you wanted to!

hi!!!

I am catching up and following along!!

Welcome Shannon!!!

The fishing trip looks like fun! Your kids are so cute!

Thank you!

Just caught up on the last two updates-- that baby-sitter sounds wonderful! Fishing is definitely not my thing either, but I love that the deluxe hotels offer activities like that out of parks! Really makes it feel like a true "resort."

It's amazing that we spend so much $$$ to stay at these resorts and then most of us never take the time to enjoy all the resort offers!!!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

After fishing it was time for some lunch, clean up, and then Jessica and I had to head over to MK for some BBB action. I was really looking forward to some girl time. It's funny because I offered to do this on one of the trips with my mom and my mom was totally turned off by the idea of BBB. I thought Jessica would love it!
After washing her hair and changing into clean clothes, she and I walked over to MK. We had time for a few rides...

I look pregnant in this picture. Ugh.

Finally it was time for Jessica's appointment!!! We had discussed princess costumes and she decided that she wanted Rapunzel. We have Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Snow White in various forms at home (her Snow White costume was her ballet recital outfit last year). I was happy that she picked Rapunzel, if only because it was different! They didn't have Rapunzel in her size (I think she's a small and they had XS and M). They tried to convince me to get the XS but I chose the M. I was a little annoyed that they thought I should spend a small fortune on a costume that she would outgrow in a few weeks instead of one that she could grow into...
Jessica and I went to the changing room in the back and she put on her costume.

It's a little big but we pinned it in the back.

And then we waited for her fairy godmother to come...

I loved that there was a photopass person taking TONS of pictures. I took some, too, but the photopass ones were good.

One person did her nails while the other did her hair.

They kept her back to the mirror the whole time.

A sprinkle of pixie dust!

The finished product!

The big reveal!

And then we went for a photo-shoot....

There are a million more but you get the idea. Jessica was awesome! She was great at BBB and even better at the photography place. They loved her!!!

In the meantime the boys were becoming pirates....

Amanda

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Awwww! What fun! I LOVE the shot of her in the mirror! LOVE IT!

 

[natebenma]

GREAT pictures from BBB! I enjoyed seeing them- don't think I will be getting there anytime soon...

The picture in the mirror is awesome.

I'm glad you had some fun mother-daughter time.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

BBB looks so fun! Like Dee said not going there anytime soon.
Although I do have princess loving niece that gives me some hope. I did meet my parents, sister and niece in Disney 2 years ago, but I got there a day late for my niece's BBB appt. I wasn't even suppose to go- it was a last min. decision so she couldn't change the appt.
I told her next year auntie is taking her!!

Deb

 

[DrMomof3]

Awwww! What fun! I LOVE the shot of her in the mirror! LOVE IT!

Thank you! It was great!

GREAT pictures from BBB! I enjoyed seeing them- don't think I will be getting there anytime soon...

The picture in the mirror is awesome.

I'm glad you had some fun mother-daughter time.

Nathaniel and Zachary are both much needier than Jessica so it's fun to get time with her.

BBB looks so fun! Like Dee said not going there anytime soon.
Although I do have princess loving niece that gives me some hope. I did meet my parents, sister and niece in Disney 2 years ago, but I got there a day late for my niece's BBB appt. I wasn't even suppose to go- it was a last min. decision so she couldn't change the appt.
I told her next year auntie is taking her!!

Deb

I highly recommend it! I don't think we'll do it again anytime soon - too expensive and time consuming to be a regular feature of our trips - but I enjoyed it.

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

So while Jessica and I were drowning in estrogen at the BBB, Tom took the boys to the Pirate League for a different sort of make-over. Nathaniel was a little uncertain, especially about the face paint aspect, but agreed to give it a try.
Tom bought them pirate shirts to wear:

He agreed to face paint afterall...

Pirate Oath

Photopass pics included

Jessica and I must have finished first because we headed over to Pirates of the Caribbean to meet the boys. The sky was turning dark and stormy so I had Jessica wear a poncho over her dress to protect her make-over. When we got to Pirates, Nathaniel had disappeared. Tom had taken the boys on the ride after their Pirate League experience. After getting off and going thru the store, Zachary went one way and Nathaniel the other. Nathaniel was nowhere to be found.
Anyone who has read previous trip reports knows that this is a theme with our family. And it's always Nathaniel getting lost. I will say that the CMs at Pirates were GREAT about helping us. Much better than the CMs at AK the previous year. We found him about 5 minutes later and headed over to the Castle for dinner.

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

We waited in line for the check-in at CRT only to be told we were too early (by about 15 minutes) and we had to come back. It was raining at this point so we headed over to the nearest store to "window shop." Finally the rain passed and the kids could run around.
What happens when you cross one princess with two pirates???

And who's brilliant idea was it to give my children SWORDS???

Please notice that she's already traded in her princess shoes for some Minnie Mouse flip-flops.

Nathaniel is truly part monkey...

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

This was our 1st experience with CRT. I honestly don't think my kids even realized that you could eat in the Castle. You enter downstairs and wait to meet Cinderella.

Nathaniel refused to go near Cinderella.

When they called our name we headed upstairs to the dining room.
All the boys received swords (again, really??? ) and the girls were given wands. Zachary, of course, wanted a wand.
Unfortunately we were about the last table in the restaurant to see the princesses. I had read bad reviews of the food but I honestly thought it was decent. Tom and I both regretted the lack of alcohol in MK!

Glass Slipper dessert that I pre-ordered.

The highlight of the meal. Zachary ran over to Ariel and gave her a big hug and told her, "I love you, Ariel." It was so adorable!!!

Overall a wonderful experience!

Amanda

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Awww! That was so sweet!

Love the pirate makeovers as well and TWO swords in one day! FUN!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I wish they had the Pirate League when my boys were little. Especially my DS14 he loved pirates!
My DSs probably wouldn't go near Cinderella either .
My DS10 has that same pirate shirt, he got it in August.
2 swords, are you kidding?!!
Someday I will make it to CRT even if I need to drag all the boys!!!!

Deb

 

[DrMomof3]

Awww! That was so sweet!

Love the pirate makeovers as well and TWO swords in one day! FUN!

My step-dad is a Quaker so I grew up in a relatively weapon-free house and have a pretty weapon-free house myself. FOUR swords in one day was a little much for me.

I wish they had the Pirate League when my boys were little. Especially my DS14 he loved pirates!
My DSs probably wouldn't go near Cinderella either .
My DS10 has that same pirate shirt, he got it in August.
2 swords, are you kidding?!!
Someday I will make it to CRT even if I need to drag all the boys!!!!

Deb

CRT was a good experience for us! If I ever run the Princess Half, I'm going there for dinner again! For a typical trip I feel the Norway dinner is perfectly adequate for our needs but this was very special.
Pirate League was great. A fraction of the cost of the BBB but enjoyed by all. I'm thinking of having us all go this year.

Amanda

 

[natebenma]

WOW!!! The boys look great all pirate-d up! What a great experience. Fantastic photos of the kids just enjoying themselves at the castle.

I totally know what you mean about the face paint. My son Nate had some mild sensory issues when he was younger and would not allow face painting (he didn't like finger painting, or walking in the grass barefoot or loud noises either). Food textures were a big issue, too. He has outgrown a lot of it, though, fortunately.

Looks like a fun family meal at the castle. The slipper desserts look awesome!!! Did you get to try a bite or two?

 

[DrMomof3]

WOW!!! The boys look great all pirate-d up! What a great experience. Fantastic photos of the kids just enjoying themselves at the castle.

I totally know what you mean about the face paint. My son Nate had some mild sensory issues when he was younger and would not allow face painting (he didn't like finger painting, or walking in the grass barefoot or loud noises either). Food textures were a big issue, too. He has outgrown a lot of it, though, fortunately.

Looks like a fun family meal at the castle. The slipper desserts look awesome!!! Did you get to try a bite or two?

Nathaniel has his own set of sensory issues. For him it includes NEVER wearing shoes. He's also picky about food textures. He will not drink fruit smoothies if there are "pieces" or "seeds" inside, as one example. But I wouldn't say he's a picky eater in general. I wasn't specifically worried about face paint with Nathaniel but whether or not he would participate in any aspect of the experience. He only agreed to participate when he learned that face paint was optional - and then he chose to have face paint anyway!
The chocolate slipper dessert was delicious! I felt like I needed to order 3 but honestly one would have been enough food. Maybe next time (if there is a next time at CRT) I'll order it for myself and share!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

My photos aren't completely in chronological order so here are a few more pictures from after CRT...

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

One of my very favorites things to do at WDW is to watch the Opening Ceremony at MK. It's one of those Disney things that puts tears in my eyes each and every time. So my goal for Thursday was to make it to Rope Drop. There was some fighting on the walk over from BLT and I almost turned around and took the kids back to the hotel but we made it!

Heading to RD:

Waiting...

This was NOT a good day for Nathaniel. In retrospect we should have split up the kids.

I think this sums it up pretty well.

The Mayor

Good mornin'! (Which is from one of my favorite movies - Singin' in the Rain - but I digress...)

Anyone who has never seen this show MUST go see it!!!

After RD we headed towards....DUMBO!

Like a good DISer, I took lots of pics of the Fantasyland construction!

I have even better pics from our recent trip...

Interactive queue at Winnie the Pooh. Unfortunately when the line is short, this serves as a distraction....

I hate Stinky Cars. My kids, however, love it.

Rocket Ride!!! My kids love Astro Orbiter...

And then we went on Buzz. All I can say is...

My highest score ever!


To be continued....

 

[DrMomof3]

I know we saw Carousel of Progress, went on PeopleMover, and Baby Swapped Space Mountain. I think we had lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern. I think their lunch is pretty good but I hate, hate, hate the bathroom!
Nathaniel was basically being horrible by this point. Tom wanted a haircut. Zachary fell asleep in the stroller after lunch so we went by the Barbershop and Tom waited for a haircut while I had Nathaniel and Jessica. I tried to get some Photopass pics but....

Not exactly the look I was going for....

While Tom was getting his haircut, I enjoyed the Dapper Dans...

But I guess not everyone agreed...

So we headed back to BLT for some swimming and non-park time.

Dinner that night was at Le Cellier. The first time I have ever eaten there. We had a HUGE rain storm as we were heading over there. I have no pictures from that night except:

I really liked Le Cellier but Zachary was having trouble sitting still which meant that I had to rush through my meal and take him outside to run around. This is when we started thinking that maybe our family needs fewer sit-down meals and more counter service.... I was a little disappointed but I also realize (now, at least) that by the 2nd half of the trip, the kids are tired and over-stimulated. Maybe we need to pack more into the first few days and then take it easy towards the end? As I start planning our August trip, I really need to think about that!!! Maybe the solution is 4 straight park days followed by several unplanned days??? Hmmm.

Amanda

 

[natebenma]

Wow, great photo pass pictures in front of the castle with the kids in their princess and pirate gear! I won't comment on those other photo pass pics except to say I have some of those in my collection, too!

Yeah for making RD!!! I enjoy the opening show too.

Lots of Fantastyland and Tomorrowland fun! Congrats on that great Buzz score.

Bummer that you are starting to see signs of the kids "hitting the Disney wall"

I think you are smart to start to think about sitdown vs. counter service meals. IIRC, Tom likes a sitdown lunch. Is it because of the airconditioning? Being waited on instead of dealing with the ordering issues? (I can see how that can get confusing with the kids and all the trays). But there are lots of great indoor options if you need them- Especially if you are early, like an 11 lunch.

We like CHH at MK, Sunshine Seasons at the Land and Tamu Tamu at AK. Tamu Tamu seating is outside, but it is shaded and usually not crowded.