For the First Time in Forever...we finally get to go back!! a pre trip report

[anniebabymu]

Love, love all the updates! Love the Magic Bands and love the park plans! I am getting sooooooo excited for you because your trip is right around the corner!!! I can't believe it's only 2 weeks away!

 

[AprilRenee]

Love, love all the updates! Love the Magic Bands and love the park plans! I am getting sooooooo excited for you because your trip is right around the corner!!! I can't believe it's only 2 weeks away!

Thanks!! I just can't wait...and yet...I feel like it's coming too fast!

 

[AprilRenee]

Little update...full of randomness and possibly some repeat info...sorry!

2 weeks left
...technically 15 days, 11 hours, and 39 minutes...but who's counting?

So today I started panicking about not being packed at all...so I went a little crazy and pulled out all our disney shirts, figured out which ones looked best together (so pics will look nice), and then decided which ones for which park/day. And then put them all in the suitcase along with Caden's buzz, flynn, and peter pan costumes. I might have some problems lol

And now you get to see them...


Top: Epcot Day
Right: Magic Kingdom
Bottom: Arrival day
Left: free day (Epcot or HS)



This is Caden's shirt for our Free day (just wanted to show it unfolded)



Animal Kingdom/DTD/Boma




Hollywood Studios




Andrew (kindly) told me I was nuts to change clothes for Chef Mickeys but otherwise we're gonna be wearing our Nemo shirts. I wanted Caden to wear this with his suspenders and they do that family pic at the beginning. We're changing. Originally this was supposed to be our arrival day and we'd have our Mickey shirts on so no problem. Now we won't...so we're changing! lol



Ok and this is our last day. I don't really like it all together but I ran out of shirts that looked good together. So I gave up. Andrew picked his favorite shirt and I found another gray one (one of my favorites too) and then I guess I'll put Caden's gray Dusty shirt with it? I wanted him to wear this cute Sven/Olaf shirt cause we'll meet Elsa and Anna that day, so I may just change him into it before our FP time. I don't know. For some reason, changing a shirt seems like a pain. But i'm cool with changing him into costumes

Ok and then I have 2 jackets I got for the trip. How cool is this Buzz jacket?!?!



We'll also have his columbia jacket along and possibly his big coat? I'll probably wait and see what the weather looks like.

And then I threw in these shirts just as "oops" shirts for Caden.








Little cutie practicing wearing his ear hat. He puts it on, checks himself out in the mirror, grins, and then takes it off. Not feeling very hopeful that he'll wear it at disney haha.
However, he DOES love his magic band. That won't be an issue at all!

Got my Tangled magic band back from my student



it's a little darker than I was imagining but pretty awesome!

Still need to do Andrew's star wars band...I'm kinda stumped on what to do with it

Ok so remember my friends who are joining us for some time at Epcot? Lol well she saw our disney shirts on FB and asked me if I'd make some for her girls. Then Andrew said "heck no! This is family shirt day!! They ALL need them!" So I wrote her back and said "Andrew says you all have to have shirts! I know you want to!" (She once dressed up like a pirate with me to go get free krispy kreme donuts lol...she TOTALLY wanted a disney shirt!) And she laughed and said ok! haha

So I made them all disney shirts. Even her husband! ha!!



I was so relieved that she thought mine were cool and then wanted some cause that's the day we're wearing our fin, noggin, dude shirts and I was feeling like I'd be a little embarrassed to run into people we knew while wearing matching shirts. NOT ANYMORE!!! haha!!

Ok so I'm feeling a little better about my lack of packing. Having a start feels good. I know I have 2 weeks but when I count it up, it's only 5 days that aren't already full with Christmas stuff or our trip to Topeka. And when we get home from Topeka I have 1 day to get everything ready (while Andrew is at work) and then we leave for disney the next morning. Can't procrastinate. We need to be almost fully packed for Disney before leaving for Topeka. That way on that day between I can quickly wash pants and move toiletries over etc. I'm not gonna want to fully pack from scratch along with running errands etc.

 

[Dugette]

So much cute stuff!

Go ahead and change Caden into that Sven & Olaf shirt before your Anna & Elsa meet! Easy to change a shirt and it can make a good conversation-starter with them (see the update I just did for a pic).

And, you know, for Chef Mickey's a fresh shirt may just be nice after running around the parks all day. I know it's not August or anything, but still.

So nice of you to make those shirts for your friends!

Love the Magic Band! You will have to take a picture of it with the Tangled Restrooms!

Glad that Caden loves his Magic Band! For the ears, maybe just use a phone selfie as a "mirror" for him, then use a camera/other phone/that phone to get a pic of him while he's tolerating it and grinning (in front of the castle, etc.)

With the holidays and your travel, this is sure going to come up fast! I know what you mean about it coming too fast, though - I really felt like that before our Dec. 2013 trip (also planned VERY far in advance, like yours) and our Hawaii trip. I liked being able to look forward to them and was excited, but a bit bummed to actually be going on them - knowing that they would soon be over. I tell ya, that's how Disney gets you to keep coming back - you want to look forward to more magic. Now I'm getting excited about our planned Land & Sea in May, but it almost seems TOO soon.

 

[AprilRenee]

So much cute stuff!

Go ahead and change Caden into that Sven & Olaf shirt before your Anna & Elsa meet! Easy to change a shirt and it can make a good conversation-starter with them (see the update I just did for a pic).

True! I probably will, you're right, it's super easy, and with him I won't even need to go to a bathroom or anything, I'll just pop it on him before we leave the stroller.

PS we keep updating our stuff at the same time each night. Night owls much? lol

And, you know, for Chef Mickey's a fresh shirt may just be nice after running around the parks all day. I know it's not August or anything, but still.

Fair point! I'll use that to argue my case! lol Honestly, he'll do whatever I ask. He just kinda looked at me like I was nuts and he was like "do we really need to change for the meal? can't we just wear what we will have on?"

Glad that Caden loves his Magic Band! For the ears, maybe just use a phone selfie as a "mirror" for him, then use a camera/other phone/that phone to get a pic of him while he's tolerating it and grinning (in front of the castle, etc.)

Good idea. That's actually how I got this photo lol But I didn't think of doing it for photos at the park. I think he likely will put it on for photos. I was just hoping he'd be one of those cute kids wearing their ears all day. lol. And actually if he sees enough kids wearing ears he may go for it. But I kinda doubt it.

With the holidays and your travel, this is sure going to come up fast! I know what you mean about it coming too fast, though - I really felt like that before our Dec. 2013 trip (also planned VERY far in advance, like yours) and our Hawaii trip. I liked being able to look forward to them and was excited, but a bit bummed to actually be going on them - knowing that they would soon be over. I tell ya, that's how Disney gets you to keep coming back - you want to look forward to more magic. Now I'm getting excited about our planned Land & Sea in May, but it almost seems TOO soon.

Yes! Your Dec 2013 trip was so similar. Same situation, planning since pregnant, baby's first trip, wanting it all to go just right. It's harder when you're planning for so long! All our other trips were about 1 year of planning. This one has been 3+ years. More time to build up expectations and more time for Thinking and Planning to become just your norm. I'm gonna be sad to not have a trip to think about anymore. We're gonna have to set a date to come back. I'm not gonna be able to leave without a return date haha

I'm thinking for Caden's 5th birthday would be good! lol...or just before it. That's 2 years. I can save up in 2 years! Right?

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Everything looks so cute! That tangled magic band looks awesome! And I love that Andrew is making everyone get in on the matching shirts!

Caden's jackets are too cute! You guys will look so cute together

I really didn't realize it was so close! Hope the days fly by with the holidays. You'll be there before you know it!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

So, since Christmas is in there, you basically only have a week left? Right?

You guys are going to look so cute! I love that you all are matching with out totally matching...that's my favorite way to go too! You you are not crazy changing for chef mickeys is totally necessary! Of course you may remember that I subjected my poor family to 2 outfit changes per day for our entire 8 day trip last night, so maybe I am the crazy one...

Love the Tangled magic band, very pretty!

 

[AprilRenee]

Everything looks so cute! That tangled magic band looks awesome! And I love that Andrew is making everyone get in on the matching shirts!

Caden's jackets are too cute! You guys will look so cute together

I really didn't realize it was so close! Hope the days fly by with the holidays. You'll be there before you know it!

Lol I totally started laughing when Andrew said that and then I laughed even more when my friend agreed without even 1 tiny argument lol

And thanks! I love that Buzz jacket the most!! And it's even nice and thick and warm!

So, since Christmas is in there, you basically only have a week left? Right?

You guys are going to look so cute! I love that you all are matching with out totally matching...that's my favorite way to go too! You you are not crazy changing for chef mickeys is totally necessary! Of course you may remember that I subjected my poor family to 2 outfit changes per day for our entire 8 day trip last night, so maybe I am the crazy one...

Love the Tangled magic band, very pretty!

Basically!! I have less than a week of time I can do things and 1 of those days is almost over!!

And I'm glad I'm not the only one who makes people change during the day! lol

 

[AprilRenee]

Ok...opinions...

Do we REALLY need things for Caden to do on the plane? Or can my technology obsessed toddler just play with the ipad/watch a movie?

I also have 2 reusable sticker sets (has a playmat and Cars/Mickey Mouse characters to stick on) and an invisible ink book from the dollar spot.

I was also planning on bringing him a few matchbox cars.

Our plane rides don't have any layovers and are 2 hrs and 15 min each. That's less time than some of my meetings take and he watches the ipad during the whole meeting.

I'm thinking we'll be good with just the ipad (and the few small things I already have). Someone tell me I'm crazy if I'm crazy.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

The only thing I would say to make sure you bring are snacks. I don't know what it is about being on the plane, but Hannah and Maddie are always hungry as soon as we get buckled in.

If Caden is good on the iPad or whatever for long periods of time when you're in meetings, then you'd probably be good with the short list you have.

 

[AprilRenee]

The only thing I would say to make sure you bring are snacks. I don't know what it is about being on the plane, but Hannah and Maddie are always hungry as soon as we get buckled in. If Caden is good on the iPad or whatever for long periods of time when you're in meetings, then you'd probably be good with the short list you have.

Ooh thanks for the food tip. Wouldn't have thought of that. I'll put that on the "plane bag" list

 

[Dugette]

Totally agree with the snacks. Plus, I hate to say it, but you never know when you might get delayed and/or stuck sitting on the runway for a long time. Good to have something to munch on handy. If there is any "high value" snack he has, throw that in as an emergency item - like I always bring a dumdum for Izzy, just in case I need it - I haven't yet, but I know that if she was losing her mind that would snap her out of it because they are a very special treat to her. And they keep her mouth busy and quiet.

Does he like paging through books? If so, maybe bring some small ones. And any comfort item he may want to snuggle on the flight.

I think you will probably be fine with what you have listed, especially given his age and the experiences you've had with him. I will admit that I am an over-packer and bring a ton of stuff, but generally don't need it all. I used to need more toy variety, but this last trip (Hawaii), she relied almost exclusively on movies (iPad on the flight home) for her entertainment. But make sure it's fully charged and ready to go!

You can maybe use your Topeka trip as a testing ground of what holds his interest (I'm not sure how long your drive is, but I'm guessing at least as long as the flight?)

One last thought I just had - people often talk about the pressure changes bothering young kids' ears. We've never had an issue, but she is almost always using her pacifier, so that sucking probably helps to avoid problems. Other suggestions I've heard involve drinking something. So, you may want to have something that could help relieve pressure if it does happen to be an issue for him - maybe like bring an empty sippy cup and fill it with water at a fountain before boarding or else bring a food pouch or something similar? Just a thought.

 

[AprilRenee]

Totally agree with the snacks. Plus, I hate to say it, but you never know when you might get delayed and/or stuck sitting on the runway for a long time. Good to have something to munch on handy. If there is any "high value" snack he has, throw that in as an emergency item - like I always bring a dumdum for Izzy, just in case I need it - I haven't yet, but I know that if she was losing her mind that would snap her out of it because they are a very special treat to her. And they keep her mouth busy and quiet.

That's a good idea...hmm...idk really what that epic treat would be...maybe just any candy. He does love suckers...however I have a sticky child phobia (kinda like your thing with stickers). I let him have a sucker the other day at a store and he ate it on the way home and I pretty much almost wrecked the car cause I kept looking over my shoulder at him and freaking out cause he was dripping it on his carseat. LOL It wasn't good.

Does he like paging through books? If so, maybe bring some small ones. And any comfort item he may want to snuggle on the flight.

Yes but not if the ipad is available. lol. He will definitely have Lovey with him. And the spare lovey in the carry on

I think you will probably be fine with what you have listed, especially given his age and the experiences you've had with him. I will admit that I am an over-packer and bring a ton of stuff, but generally don't need it all. I used to need more toy variety, but this last trip (Hawaii), she relied almost exclusively on movies (iPad on the flight home) for her entertainment. But make sure it's fully charged and ready to go!

Ok cool. I just started getting nervous after reading about all your tricks during your flight to hawaii. But that was a way longer flight of course.

You can maybe use your Topeka trip as a testing ground of what holds his interest (I'm not sure how long your drive is, but I'm guessing at least as long as the flight?)

Yes, driving to Topeka is 5 hrs but then after a day or two at his moms house we're going 3 hrs further west to his uncle's house so our ride home will be 8 hrs. OMG!!! I so did NOT prepare for an 8 hr drive home. What am I going to do with my toddler for 8 hrs in a car!?!?!?!?! Ummm....maybe I should be planning THAT instead of my disney trip! Crap

One last thought I just had - people often talk about the pressure changes bothering young kids' ears. We've never had an issue, but she is almost always using her pacifier, so that sucking probably helps to avoid problems. Other suggestions I've heard involve drinking something. So, you may want to have something that could help relieve pressure if it does happen to be an issue for him - maybe like bring an empty sippy cup and fill it with water at a fountain before boarding or else bring a food pouch or something similar? Just a thought.

Oh right, I remember that. Caden sucks his thumb so maybe i'll just remind him to suck? I'll probably bring along a small candy (like a candy cane! I loves those baby candy canes!) and that will help. Yep. I'll do that. Thanks!

 

[anniebabymu]

Love all of your shirts!! You guys are gonna be the cutest family there! Your Magic Band turned out awesome too!

Snacks are a definite yes on the plane! I always find it's nice giving the girls a little snack on take off and landing so get them chewing to hopefully prevent ear pain. Our first trip Addie's ears hurt so bad! As far as activities go, I always packed a bag full of stuff and they colored for 5 seconds and then played on our phones/iPad the rest of the time. So I think you're good with that! And since you're flying Southwest, most of the planes are WiFi enabled and offer free TV... so maybe you can find a good show for him to watch!

 

[AprilRenee]

Love all of your shirts!! You guys are gonna be the cutest family there! Your Magic Band turned out awesome too!

Snacks are a definite yes on the plane! I always find it's nice giving the girls a little snack on take off and landing so get them chewing to hopefully prevent ear pain. Our first trip Addie's ears hurt so bad! As far as activities go, I always packed a bag full of stuff and they colored for 5 seconds and then played on our phones/iPad the rest of the time. So I think you're good with that! And since you're flying Southwest, most of the planes are WiFi enabled and offer free TV... so maybe you can find a good show for him to watch!

Ooh! I totally forgot they had wifi and TV! Extra awesome! We'll be golden. (Not that Toy Story 300 times in a row isn't also awesome.... )

And ok. Snacks/something in the mouth on take off and landing are a definite must.

And thanks! im excited about all our custom stuff. With my brothers I made 1 set of custom shirts and they were awesome and we love those pics. So I'm excited to have a good plan in place and hopefully all our pics will be awesome!

 

[AprilRenee]

So dugette, thanks for bringing up the car ride to topeka. After I posted the above reply I set my computer aside and turned to Andrew and said "unm are we NUTS?? Why are we driving 8 hrs?!?"
So we decided to leave his uncles house the evening of the 1st and drive back to his parents' house in topeka. That way our drive home on the 2nd is only 5 hrs. We had to stop in topeka on the way back anyway to get our dogs so we'll just leave a few hrs before bedtime on the 1st and we won't even miss much visiting and we'll cut the driving down into managable chunks. Whew! Ok. Crisis averted!! I'm so glad I just had that freak out now instead of halfway thru our 8 hr drive! Haha

 

[THiiNKTiiNKx0]

Adore the shirts!! They're going to look so cute in pictures! And don't feel silly or embarrassed about running into people you know while youre wearing them - true Disney fans will understand

I agree with everyone else.....just make sure you have snacks. And we always take along coloring books and crayons too just to be safe.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I wouldn't worry too much about an 8 hour car ride. You can almost guarantee that he'll nap for a couple hours of that and then your back to 5/6 hours like your original trip.

We took the girls on a car trip to Nebraska when Hannah was about Caden's age and they did pretty good. We brought tons of snacks, movies and went to the library for books on cd for her to listen to/look at. I was sort of a freak about keeping track of them but she did great with them and really liked being able to hear stories.

ETA: don't worry about taking too much stuff on the plane. I took a TON of those $1 packets with a couple crayons, stickers, color book etc on our first trip. The girls ended up sharing them with several cranky kids on the plane which made everyone much happier. So, I say, sprinkle some pixie dust if you overpack. It benefits everyone!

 

[Dugette]

Breaking the drive up over the two days sounds a lot more manageable. The most we've done for a car trip with Izzy is the 4 hours to see my grandma in Wisconsin - and she usually naps for half of that. 8 hours straight sounds like a long time - you'd need to make a couple fun stops on the way. Hope the trip goes well!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I have found that car rides are more manageable than planes, you just have more options. Plus they are only bugging you, not anyone else, that makes me more calm and therefore the whole situation goes more smoothly!

I think as long as you have the things you mentioned you should be good. I agree with snacks, ones that seem like a "treat" are even better. My only advice with the iPad is maybe download a new app or two. In case he gets board. You can get him all excited with something new!