"I Wanna See My Castle!" October 2013 TR *COMPLETE* **NEW TR LINK!!** 7/3

[khertz]

Your character interactions are so adorable! Paxton looks so excited and overjoyed in every single picture! His collection of pixie dust is just precious, too.

Merry Christmas to you too; may it be filled with magic! Can't wait for your next update!

Thanks! I was so happy to find out that he still LOVED the characters this year! It's always a question mark because kids can change so much from trip to trip.

Merry Christmas to you as well!

I love ALL of these pictures, so adorable! The one of DS waving at Piglet is so cute I'm glad he was able to add to his Pixie Dust collection I'm also glad the cupcake meltdown was handled and that Nonni kept all her fingers Love your Rapunzel ribbon!

He was so excited to see all of them, and just couldn't wait to hug everyone and give them a high 5! It was pretty cute.

The pixie dust was just about the most perfect way to kick off his birthday at the Magic Kingdom. You could tell that CM really enjoyed his job!

He is SO FUNNY about food being "broken" and trying to fix it. Today he got a candy cane from the priest as we were leaving church and it broke the car. The more he freaked out the more DH and I were just laughing at him until he finally yelled, "It's not funny, everybody!!!" So we were lucky Nonni was there to save the day!

Thanks! I love my Magical Ribbons!

Aww, that picture of Tigger hugging you and DS melted my heart!

That is a really nice autograph book, by the way!

Looks like an awesome meal, and a very merry Christmas to you too!!!

DS always gets along famously with Tigger!

Thanks! I made it on Shutterfly, and it was a big hit in the parks with the characters, the CM's, and even the other guests. I got a lot of compliments on it!

Looked like a really fun breakfast at Crystal Palace, love it there! DS' autograph book is perfect


Emma x

It was another fun time there. It's always a fun breakfast for us, so I think it will be tradition for many trips to come! And thanks!

I love Mickey Confetti (not that I've ever seen it in person).

HAHA Pax and I have that in common. Can't focus on food when there's so much else to do! I guess that's why I never do TS meals.

One of my goals last trip was to meet Piglet for the first time. I won't say whether that was accomplished or not.

OMG that is TOO FUNNY with "Mitchell".

Who wouldn't love Mickey confetti, am I right?! I had only ever seen it sprinkled on the table sometimes when we had his birthday listed on an ADR. This was the first time he ever got a random bag full!

It is SO HARD to get him to eat when he's preoccupied! He actually skipped out on breakfast after 2 bites of cinnamon roll because he wanted to get back to his new Christmas toys! And cinnamon rolls are a big treat, so I expected him to eat a lot.

I look forward to seeing if the pic with Piglet was mission accomplished or not!

It was pretty hilarious. He has since corrected his pronunciation.

oooooh puffed French Toast! Sounds delish!

haha, I tend to not consume a whole lot during character meals too! I get so excited and have a hard time calming down enough to actually sit and eat!!

What a great autograph book! I just went back into your PTR to see if you had more pics of it... and you do! LOVE it!!

And such a cute Rapunzel bow. Definitely something that I would wear.

So far it's been a great start to Paxton's 3rd Birthday! We want to plan our next trip so that we are there when Bronwyn turns 3! Can't wait to hear about New Fantasyland...

Puffed French toast is my favorite reason for eating at Crystal Palace. Character meals are so hectic though. That's why we have decided to just stick with CP next trip and not add a second one. Trying to get a kid to eat while getting enough to eat yourself while also juggling cameras and autograph books is enough to drive me insane!

Thanks! I got all of the templates here on the DISign boards and plugged them into a Shutterfly book. I got a lot of compliments on it in the parks! And the characters got a kick out of seeing pictures of themselves in the book.

While it's always fun to celebrate in Disney, there is something that has been so special about the past two years actually being in MK on Paxton's actual birthday. I'm sure you will totally get it if you are able to do it for Bronwyn's birthday!

This has me craving puffed French toast and some breakfast lasagna!

I love kicking off our trips with a pre park opening at Crystal Palace! It wasn't possible on our last trip because we booked too last minute and we didn't want to pay for character meals with our 4 month old who could be napping though the meal (no set nap schedule, especially on vacation!)

I know, I crave that puffed French toast any time I see anyone's update about going to CP. Even if they didn't go for breakfast!!

I had never known about the pre-park opening thing until joining the DIS, and on our first trip after that we did early entry for the KTTK tour. I fell in love! Since then, a pre-park opening breakfast ADR has been a must. And I'm sure it will continue to be tradition for us for awhile! I totally understand what you mean, that would be an expensive breakfast for baby to sleep through and miss out on the characters! Hopefully you get to do it next time.

 

[afwdwfan]

He has a hard time focusing on food when there is so much else going on around him. This is mostly the reason we are thinking that next trip, we will continue our Crystal Palace tradition, but will likely have that as our only character meal of the trip instead of booking our usual 2.

You know, it is easier to just go ahead and do it when they're under that magical age of 3. Once you're paying that much for a kid to eat, they darn well better eat.

After Tigger came Piglet! I am by no means a big Winnie the Pooh fan, but I do think Piglet is adorable. Mostly because he is so little and also because he is a big ball of anxiety like I am. Haha

... and because you can eat bacon in front of him.

I then made the grievous, unforgivable mistake of cutting DS's cupcake in half to make it easier for him to eat. Oh, the horrors!

Poor kid.

I didn't mention, but all day on our Universal day, Mitchell had been trying to get DS to warm up to him, but DS refused and turned away every time Mitchell tried to talk to him. Finally, at the end of this breakfast, DS switched gears and decided Mitchell was an okay guy. From that point on, he called him his "buddy Mitchell"...only Mitchell started with a B instead of an M. LMAO! The DIS-censors would get me if I tried to type it out. I'm sure you get the idea. It was pretty hilarious, but DS has since figured out how to correctly say Mitchell.

Isn't it great when your kids pronounce innocent words in a not so innocent way?

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Love Crystal Palace! We've mostly done breakfast there but this January we're signed up for a lunch experience.

I always start out my Disney planning vowing to limit the number of character meals but I inevitably add more by the time the trip comes around. For January I started with two and now I'm up to four thanks to Hollywood and Vine adding Sofia and Doc to their line up.

 

[khertz]

You know, it is easier to just go ahead and do it when they're under that magical age of 3. Once you're paying that much for a kid to eat, they darn well better eat.


... and because you can eat bacon in front of him.


Poor kid.




Isn't it great when your kids pronounce innocent words in a not so innocent way?

That's so true! I cringe at the thought of having to pay for him at the buffets next trip when he hardly eats anything. Next time we will have to be a lot more forceful in getting him to eat. We'll see how that goes...

It really is!!! We got lots of laughs out of that over the next couple of days. It's so hard because it's so funny to hear them say it so innocently, but then you don't want them to keep saying it over and over and making it part of their vocabulary!

Love Crystal Palace! We've mostly done breakfast there but this January we're signed up for a lunch experience.

I always start out my Disney planning vowing to limit the number of character meals but I inevitably add more by the time the trip comes around. For January I started with two and now I'm up to four thanks to Hollywood and Vine adding Sofia and Doc to their line up.

I've always heard good things about the food there at all meals, so I hope y'all have a great lunch experience!

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. I say "just one" right now, but there's still a loooooong time to go before I will be making ADR's again and a lot can change between now and then! The change at H&V will be a big hit! I was actually disappointed we didn't book it for last year because Paxton suddenly got crazy interested in Special Agent Oso and Little Einsteins from the Disney Jr. app on the iPad, and now they will be gone. But Sofia and Doc will be a big improvement there. I just wish they maybe would have left Oso and got rid of Handy Manny instead.

 

[mandas08]

Ok don't hate me, I was not a fan of the puffed french toast. I was so excited to try it last trip, but was shocked not to fall in love after all the glowing reviews on here. I am a fan of all things sweet but it was just a little too much for me. Im glad you were able get in all 4 characters before heading out.

Oh my goodness. All the pictures with characters are amazing! He looks so excited.


Haha. "M"itchell. Too funny! I have had those situations my last was just down right embarrassing lol. Its so hard not to laugh and end up encouraging it.

 

[emmysmommy]

I've read back since your US/IoA day and I'm caught up for now! Those were some great photos of the Marvel characters with Paxton. Wow! He had no problem with the scary dude. Even Spidey interaction was adorable. The video was cute.

Your room view with both Wishes and Illuminations was awesome! What a unique perspective. I'd definitely ditch the parents in favor of that room as well. You have me contemplating a stay there so much so in fact that I browsed their website and see how awesome those rooms are. Makes me wonder why I buy into staying on property when those rooms are so fabulous!

What a great way to start Paxton's birthday with a special b-day song and "pixie dust" not to mention breakfast with Pooh and his friends. Your photos of a deserted Main Street are wonderful!

Happy belated Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year to you and your family!!

 

[MEK]

I hope you and the family had a wonderful Christmas!

I love CP - you know its my FAVORITE character breakfast!

Adorable pictures of Paxton. He seems to be really enjoying himself and he an Piglet look like the best of friends!

 

[khertz]

Ok don't hate me, I was not a fan of the puffed french toast. I was so excited to try it last trip, but was shocked not to fall in love after all the glowing reviews on here. I am a fan of all things sweet but it was just a little too much for me. Im glad you were able get in all 4 characters before heading out.

Oh my goodness. All the pictures with characters are amazing! He looks so excited.


Haha. "M"itchell. Too funny! I have had those situations my last was just down right embarrassing lol. Its so hard not to laugh and end up encouraging it.

Well, I think you are a little crazy, but I certainly don't hate you. Just kidding, to each his own! It is really sweet, but I don't know, I just love it!

It really is so hard! Especially when it's something they get so excited about, like when my cousin had a hard time saying firetruck and that "tr" always came out as an "f".

I've read back since your US/IoA day and I'm caught up for now! Those were some great photos of the Marvel characters with Paxton. Wow! He had no problem with the scary dude. Even Spidey interaction was adorable. The video was cute.

Your room view with both Wishes and Illuminations was awesome! What a unique perspective. I'd definitely ditch the parents in favor of that room as well. You have me contemplating a stay there so much so in fact that I browsed their website and see how awesome those rooms are. Makes me wonder why I buy into staying on property when those rooms are so fabulous!

What a great way to start Paxton's birthday with a special b-day song and "pixie dust" not to mention breakfast with Pooh and his friends. Your photos of a deserted Main Street are wonderful!

Happy belated Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year to you and your family!!

It was so funny how he had no trouble with Green Goblin, but the Minion had him running. I was surprised how many character interactions we actually had at Universal because in the past we did maybe one or two over several days. Of course, that was before having Paxton, but still, I just never paid attention. But that is definitely one of his most favorite theme park activities, so it was good that we encountered so many.

I have to say, I was so sad the first time we were planning a stay at Bonnet Creek and not onsite, but now we are total converts! You just can't beat the space there for the price, and you're still so close to everything.

Thank you! DH was so excited to get all of those Main Street photos. It was a really wonderful way to start off his birthday!

Merry Christmas to your family as well and many blessings in the upcoming New Year!

I hope you and the family had a wonderful Christmas!

I love CP - you know its my FAVORITE character breakfast!

Adorable pictures of Paxton. He seems to be really enjoying himself and he an Piglet look like the best of friends!

We did, Mary Ellen! I hope you had the same.

That, we can agree on. It's my favorite too!!

It's funny because he is not really that interested in any of the Winnie the Pooh characters on a regular basis, but every time we go to CP, he is just enamored with them all!

 

[khertz]

Day 3 Continued: Thursday October 24th

After getting our bellies full at another wonderful Crystal Palace breakfast, it was time to head out into the park! Now originally, I had figured with the EMH guests getting a jump on us, it would be pointless to head to New Fantasyland yet and to save it for another day when we could go there at rope drop. That idea lasted about 3.24 seconds. So as we departed Crystal Palace, that was exactly where we were headed!

3-085 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


3-086 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

I just couldn't wait to get in there and see it for myself!! I will say, I expected to be a lot more wow'd by NFL than I actually was. After getting goosebumps walking into WWoHP the day before, I was prepared for a similar reaction here, and I just didn't get it. Sure, I was excited to experience all of the new stuff, but it just wasn't the same. By no means was I disappointed at all, don't get me wrong, I just didn't get that OH MY GOD I'M FINALLY HERE feeling I had experienced the day before. But despite all that, I was pretty happy to see a 20 minute wait posted for Enchanted Tales With Belle, so we decided to stop there first.

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As we get into the inside queue, I noticed DS is pretty gassy. Actually, we all noticed as it was pretty difficult not to. I asked him several times if he needed to use the restroom and he said no. So I said a little prayer he could last through the conclusion of the show and then I would take him right after and have him go. He continued to play around inside and was having a grand old time checking out the inside of Maurice's cottage. We also began chatting in line with a man using a service dog. The man was very nice and appreciated that DS did not jump all over the dog trying to pet him, so he had the dog lay down, which was an indication that DS could pet him as the dog knew he was "off" for the few moments he was lying down. DS really enjoyed that!

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We had made it to the front of the line and were just cut off from entering the first pre-show area when it happened. DS announced, "I need to go potty!" This is exactly what I had been dreading!! I walked him out, apologizing all the way. Luckily most people told me they had already done this walk before and it was no big deal. I hurried him down to the restrooms by Pinocchio's Village Haus, and he went.

But then I was worried about walking back up through the line, so I called my mom and told them to go on without me. She insisted on coming to get us, so she left the line and met me outside, then showed me a little spot she had found to squeeze through and skip most of the line and get back right where you walk inside towards the end of the queue. She assured me she had let everyone in line know it was a potty emergency and everyone she talked to was fine with it. As we got back to the family at the door (they had all waited to the side since another group had been let in while we were gone), DS saw everyone and yelled, "I went potty!!" which earned him a round of applause from those around us in line. I was really worried that this would end up happening a lot over the trip, but that was actually the one and only time we had to leave the line for a potty emergency!

We were let into the next show, and DS did not want to go to the front with all the other children, so I held him up to see the magic mirror. That was pretty darn amazing!! DH took a bunch of photos, and I still don't understand how it works.

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We filed through into the room with Wardrobe, who is just amazing. I guess she would be considered an audio animatronic? I don't know, but seriously, just so well done and smooth. The CM began having us "audition" for parts, and DS was acting shy so he didn't get chosen for anything, and didn't want to participate when she was handing out random parts at the end. But Pappy did get chosen to be a knight in shining armor!

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Then we went into the library and were greeted by Lumiere, and then Princess Belle!

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Continued in next post...

 

[khertz]

Day 3 Continued: Thursday October 24th

The little girl playing Beast was pretty amazing! She had a very impressive roar! And Pappy was a pretty good knight too.

3-112 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


3-113 by disneymom1024, on Flickr

Video: Enchanted Tales With Belle - including Beast's roar​

There were a lot of very pretty details throughout the library. This is definitely a room I dream of having! I was always a bookworm growing up, so I had that in common with Belle.

3-114 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


3-115 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

After the show, they invited all off the kids to come up and take photos with Belle, even if they had not taken part. I tried to convince DS to go up for a picture, but he didn't want to. Sir Pappy had his photo taken, though, and the CM still gave DS a bookmark even though he didn't want to pose with her.

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I had read lots of reviews of this show in other TR's, but I still was unsure of how it would go with kids acting out the story and stuff. I have to say, we all really enjoyed it! It was very cute, and so fun watching the little kids playing their parts. It is pretty short, though, so I was glad we had not had a very long wait for it.

We left, and DS spotted the Carrousel and started yelling that was what he wanted to do next. I think DH was a little annoyed because he wanted to go around photographing the rest of New Fantasyland, but I gently reminded him it was DS's birthday, and we should let him choose what he wanted to do, within reason, for at least this day of the trip. So off to Prince Charming's Regal Carrousel we went.

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As we approached, we saw Anastasia and Drizella enjoying a spin! They were getting off just as we got in line.

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As you can imagine, that time of the morning, the Carrousel was absolutely SWAMPED with people! I mean, that is where everyone heads first thing in the day, right? Of course, I'm kidding and we were on the next rotation.

DS thought long and hard about which horse he wanted to ride, and once he spotted this one, it was a no-brainer!

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Of course, he wanted to ride the Saints horse!! That's my boy...he sees Fleur de Lis, and immediately thinks Saints.

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Don't let this face fool you, he was actually pretty excited.


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As we exited the Carrousel, DS spotted the Sword in the Stone and of course wanted to try to pull it out. Spoiler Alert: this is definitely NOT the last time you will see him attempting this during our trip!

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Video: Sword in the Stone
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After being unsuccessful with the sword, DS was happy to head back into New Fantasyland. Which was good for us, because I think DH and I were both pretty antsy to get back over there and finish looking around!

3-126 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


3-127 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

The line for lunch at BoG was already enormous! Although I did want to eat lunch there, I was very happy we had an ADR coming up in a few days so I didn't have to wait in this line.

We passed Gaston's Tavern and were really hoping Gaston would be out for a meet, but we didn't see him anywhere.

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Then finally, it was time to experience the thing in New Fantasyland I had been looking forward to the most...Eric's Castle!!!

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UP NEXT: Under the Sea

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

OK, I'm sure it's just me, but it SERIOUSLY looks like the CM on the left in your first photo is doing a "pretend camera" gesture as you took that photo.

I actually did have the OH MY GOD reaction the first time in NFL. But then again, it was the very first day open EVER, so that may have added to it. Honestly, I really think it'll be SPECTACULAR when the Mine Train opens and all the walls finally come down.

"I went Potty!!" OMG that's adorable.

I finally saw Enchanted Tales and I also quite enjoyed it. Not sure I'd feel the same waiting a long time, but with FP+ it was for sure worth it.

Haha funny. I see Fleur de Lis I think Quebec.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Isn't that how it normally happens? You get all the way up in line and the kiddo has to potty. My nephew does that all the time.

How funny everyone applauded his return and the "I went potty!" Potty emergency's are no joke.

We had three participants from our group on our July trip. It was too much fun.

Your DS is trained well if he sees a Fleur de Lis and thinks Saints right away.

 

[courtneybelle]

Aw man, sorry your first reaction wasn't jaw-dropping! It was for me, but I think that's because all the Belle stuff was first and she is my queen

DS is a good kid. So many kids get so jumpy and overbearing when it comes to characters, dogs, etc. so good for him for not jumping on the dog! And at his announcement to the room!

ENCHANTED TALES <3 love it so much!!

I am going to have to look for the fleur de lis horse next time I ride now that I've been to New Orleans!

 

[dtr_angel]

catching up... sorry I fell so far behind, but it's exciting getting to read so much all at once!

That stinks that DS wasn't tall enough to ride the train, but good he didn't notice. That could've made for a good toddler melt down!

totally listening to the jurassic park theme song on youtube because I'm not familar with it. I saw the movie when I was pretty young in the theatre but I don't remember anything about it

So I'm curious, at age 3 how is nap time? Can you ask him if he's tired and he will go take his nap, or it is a fight? I'm wondering how it is going to be with Gavin when he can talk more and if that is going to make his sleep better or worse, lol.

I loved the spidey video. I can't believe he wasn't afraid of the green goblin!
Yay I'm glad you finally got DS to sleep. That is like the best moment ever when you see those little eyes going shut, it's a victory! (at least in this house haha)

Your dinner looked really good!

I'm glad DH didn't get stuck for long!

Haha at the clean bed and dirty bed, great idea though!

Illuminations AND Wishes - that's the dream right there... and from your balcony! Serious score. Amazing pictures.

That's awesome his birthday was your first disney day. I'm impressed that you made it out the door in 30 minutes.

I love toddler bedhead. I still haven't cut Gavin's hair so it's really long. He gets some serious bedhead but I think it's so cute. He looks pleasant for it being so early!

Thats so cute they sung Happy Birthday to him and gave him mickey confetti. I love the picture of him playing with it!

I love the fall decorations! And I love the empty park photos. I love the "3" birthday picture

I'm sorry DS didn't eat well at Crystal Palace but I guess that's how it goes at character meals. Getting into the park early and empty park photos are priceless though and worth it I think. I think it's going to continue to be a tradition for us!

I had the same reaction to New Fantasyland. I was expected to be wowed and awed and it was just like "oh..." don't get me wrong I loved it, but maybe too much hype?

Haha at the potty emergency. Paxton sounded very proud of himself. ETWB looks awesome, I hope we get to do it next time!

 

[TruLovesKiss]

OK, I'm sure it's just me, but it SERIOUSLY looks like the CM on the left in your first photo is doing a "pretend camera" gesture as you took that photo.

Haha, I totally noticed that CM in the pic too! I thought that she may be saying "Goochie goochie goo" or something like that.


Oh no, that "Potty Emergency" really stinks! I was waiting for this to happen with one of my kiddos during our trip and I'm shocked that it didn't! I'm glad that you got your spot back in line. It was probably a good thing that Paxton announced to everyone that he went potty.

We really enjoyed Enchanted Tales with Belle too. And oh my, that Magic Mirror really IS amazing. Where does the bottom of the frame and wall go? So darn cool!! What great pics of Lumiere and Belle, especially with it being so dark in there.

How fun to see the Stepsisters on the Carrousel! Oh and I LOVE that Gaston fountain!

 

[mandas08]

I don't think I have mentioned that we are heading to WDW at the end of January, so yet again your TR could have better timing We figured we better get in one last trip before he turns 3 in July.

I'm glad you had a positive experience with Belle. We have yet to try this just because I think it might be a bit boring for Zavier...glad to hear it is short. I think it might be one of those we put on our fastpass+.

Glad Paxton had a better experience on the carousel this trip lol. Zavier loved it on our trip to Sea World in September so I'm hoping he has also switched to loving it as well

So excited that we will be able to go to Be our Guest on our next trip. We made fastpass+ reservations (if that is even what it is called) for lunch. Most excited for the grey stuff cupcake...yumm!

 

[leshunlenese]

Kudos to the photographer! The morning pictures walking onto main street and just throughout the day are beautiful!

I can taste all those items on your plate from crystal palace. we skipped it the last few trips so I cannot wait to go back next year!

I love ETWB! Our first visit there in September my nephew was the beast and Dev was chip. I really thought it was going to be more for girls like almost everything else but I was so wrong.

What is it with boys and the carrousel?? It is one thing we can ride other places lol
Devyn insisted on riding it but like you, i was like It is his birthday

Hope you guys had a Merry Christmas and Happy new year to you guys!

 

[MEK]

I don't think I commented on your last post about your CP breakfast. Wait - yes I did.

So glad you were able to bet out of the line and back in pretty painlessly. That is so great that Paxton got applause for making a potty stop.

The pictures for this update are really lovely.

Too funny that Paxton wanted to ride the "Saints" horse.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Great update on Enchanted Tales! Our kids were shy too last year and didn't want to participate in the storytelling of Enchanted Tales but they still had a great time watching. I'm curious whether they will feel differently in January when we go back. And great pictures of all the details of the queue and the library!

 

[missangelalexis]

I'm glad the potty emergency was handled and you were still able to get back in line! Also glad it was only a 20 min wait! How funny that you saw Anastasia and Drizella on the carousel!