Let's turn around. Magic Kingdom is open till 1AM! 3/23 Some Final Thoughts

When it rains… we get wet.

We prepared for the rainstorm that appeared to be approaching by putting the rain cover (great investment) on the stroller and parking it next to the entrance of the TTA Peoplemover and headed up to climb aboard for our nice peaceful, relaxing ride.

Is it just me, or is the part after you go through the ride area of Space Mountain is darker than is naturally possible? Obviously DS couldn’t see that he was still sitting right next to me, and right across from his mommy and began flipping out. Needless to say, this trip, the Peoplemover wasn’t the peaceful relaxing ride I’m used to enjoying.

We worked to calm DS as we rode through the dark. Finally we could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Only it didn’t look as light as it did when we entered. We emerged from the dark to see that the rain had started. In addition to the rain, there was a nice strong breeze that was just perfect for whipping the rain right underneath the overhead covering as we slowly… crept… through Tomorrowland.

We got off the Peoplemover looking more like we were just getting off of Splash Mountain and headed over to use our Buzz FPs. DS seemed to enjoy it. I never could get him into the idea of shooting the gun, but once he figured out that he could make us spin with that lever in the middle, he was entertained and enjoying the ride. He really seemed to have a good time just taking it all in and nearly making DW require the use of a barf bag.

We met back up with our CM friend in the exit shop and the rain let up a bit so we decided to walk in the general direction of Fantasyland looking for a short line and a roof. We rode the Teacups (3 adults and a toddler in a cup is a bit tight:rolleyes1) and Snow White and then used our FP’s for Pooh. The rain was picking back up, so we ducked into It’s a Small World for shelter, despite a 20 minute line. Want to guess where IASW ranks on DS’s list of favorites?

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Our main objective for the day was to make sure we saw MSEP, so we decided it was getting close to time and we should find some food. We asked CM where she did/didn’t want to eat since she spends a bit more time there and she said she was sick of Cosmic Ray’s, but hadn’t eaten at Pecos Bills in a while. We headed that direction, and decided we had time to catch a performance by the Country Bears along the way. DS absolutely loved this show. He was clapping and dancing along with the bears the whole time.

We grabbed some food at Pecos Bills. I don’t remember what everybody else had, but my cheeseburger was delicious as always. It was getting dark as we finished our meals, and I decided to step outside and check the rain situation. It was coming down steadily so we finally brought out the ponchos and headed off to a section of sidewalk near Casey’s, but just a bit up the street toward the castle. Parked the stroller behind a trashcan and settled in just in time for the castle lighting show.

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We didn’t really worry about getting to the curb and fighting for our territory. DW went to get snacks and a spinning light up Mickey toy for DS (best $15 we spent the whole trip). I took DS to run back and forth along the walkway to Crystal Palace to burn some energy after Mickey became less entertaining.

We thought we had a good plan… by taking a spot behind the trash can, we didn’t have to be there super early, our spot was fairly easy to hold, people didn’t really try to push in front of us, and there wasn’t room for anyone behind us since they were keeping half of the sidewalk open for traffic. DW and CM would have a clear view over the top and I’d stand behind them with DS on my shoulders.:thumbsup2 All of a sudden a few minutes before the parade was to start, a family came along Main Street, laid a poncho on top of the trash can and sat 3 kids up there right in front of us.:headache: Thankfully, a CM came along quickly and made them leave. After what seemed like forever, in the cold, damp weather, the parade began.

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We enjoyed MSEP, but I have always personally preferred SpectroMagic. We headed into the Emporium to look around and warm up. DW and I thought we’d be back at the WL before the evening’s events so we didn’t pack jackets when we headed out that morning. The timing of DS’s nap threw a wrench in those plans.

We stepped back out onto Main Street to watch Magic Memories and You.

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I have to admit, I really liked this show a lot better than I thought I would. I really didn’t like the idea when I first read about it, but they really did an excellent job. We actually ended up seeing this show a few different times from some different angles. The pictures of people on the castle aren’t very big though. You’d almost have to be in the hub or closer to see them in any detail… either that or I need a new prescription for my contacts.

DS has never tolerated fireworks… at all. We decided to stand near the Train Station to watch Wishes and if he freaked out we’d leave. We had a secret weapon in our arsenal that we thought might help us though. Thanks to khertz for posting a link to these things in her PTR.

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The Drew Brees inspired earmuffs worked great. He didn’t have a single problem with fireworks the whole trip with these things on. He didn’t want to wear them at first, but I think he realized they helped make it quieter, and once he figured that out, he was happy to have them on. I highly recommend them… and again thanks to khertz for posting a link to them in your PTR:thumbsup2.

Gratuitous explosion shots:

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We said goodbye to our CM friend and made plans to meet up with her again later in the week. We left the park just as the last few fireworks were going off and made our way to the dock to catch a boat back to WL. We were quickly on board and on our way. It was a great day at the Magic Kingdom, but there were a few more hours of valuable EMH park time...
 
Well, in spite of the rain, it sounds like y'all had a wonderful time at MK! And it seems like DS did well with the rides.

I have to ask where you bought the ear phone things for your son. Reid doesn't like fireworks but won't wear ear plugs. Maybe I should buy some like you did before our next trip.
 
Good plan using the trashcan for cover! I might steal that idea next time, you read how camping out on the curb worked for me. :rolleyes:

Landon looks really cute with those earmuffs, like he is getting ready for a recording session! Glad they worked out so well! :thumbsup2
 
Is it just me, or is the part after you go through the ride area of Space Mountain is darker than is naturally possible?

How would you measure that? :confused3

Obviously DS couldn’t see that he was still sitting right next to me, and right across from his mommy and began flipping out. Needless to say, this trip, the Peoplemover wasn’t the peaceful relaxing ride I’m used to enjoying.

I'm sure the noises from the ride such as people shrieking calmed him down. :thumbsup2

We got off the Peoplemover looking more like we were just getting off of Splash Mountain and headed over to use our Buzz FPs. DS seemed to enjoy it. I never could get him into the idea of shooting the gun, but once he figured out that he could make us spin with that lever in the middle, he was entertained and enjoying the ride. He really seemed to have a good time just taking it all in and nearly making DW require the use of a barf bag.

Nice work buddy! :thumbsup2 Random spins really help your score on that ride, too.

The rain was picking back up, so we ducked into It’s a Small World for shelter, despite a 20 minute line. Want to guess where IASW ranks on DS’s list of favorites?

He looks entranced to me. Better make quite a few return trips.

All of a sudden a few minutes before the parade was to start, a family came along Main Street, laid a poncho on top of the trash can and sat 3 kids up there right in front of us.:headache:

:headache: I guess I shouldn't be, but I'm always amazed at the amount of people who think they can stroll right into a heavily crowded event without any wait and act like they own the place.

Great parade pictures! The castle looks awesome, too.

You’d almost have to be in the hub or closer to see them in any detail… either that or I need a new prescription for my contacts.

Can't beat Father Time...

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The Drew Brees inspired earmuffs worked great.

I was going to bring up Drew Brees! Looks like they made your son drunk, though.

Gratuitous explosion shots:

These are never, ever gratuitous.
 

When it rains… we get wet.
Woa. That's graduate level stuff at Purdue, isn't it? :rotfl2:

We prepared for the rainstorm that appeared to be approaching by putting the rain cover (great investment)
Agreed. :thumbsup2 (Until the kids start to suffocate under the plastic, that is.


In addition to the rain, there was a nice strong breeze that was just perfect for whipping the rain right underneath the overhead covering as we slowly… crept… through Tomorrowland.
Slowly creeping through Tomorrowland. Add in a center rail to bang into, and you've got a speedway!

We got off the Peoplemover looking more like we were just getting off of Splash Mountain
Were you whistling Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah too?

He really seemed to have a good time just taking it all in and nearly making DW require the use of a barf bag.
You may be planning to address this later, but how was you DW with her, um...condition...during the trip?

We rode the Teacups (3 adults and a toddler in a cup is a bit tight:rolleyes1)
Yes, but it does add more horsepower to spin with!

All of a sudden a few minutes before the parade was to start, a family came along Main Street, laid a poncho on top of the trash can and sat 3 kids up there right in front of us.:headache: Thankfully, a CM came along quickly and made them leave.
Mark already pointed how how people seem to think they can walk right up at the 11th hour and get a great spot, so I won't beat that dead horse. However, do people look down the street and see all these trashcans with no kids on them and think to themselves "I have a great idea that no one has ever had before! I'll put my kids on this here trash can. It's a perfect viewing spot!" Typically, when no one else is doing something, it probably means it's now allowed. :sad2:

(Great pictures, though!)

I have to admit, I really liked this show a lot better than I thought I would. I really didn’t like the idea when I first read about it, but they really did an excellent job. We actually ended up seeing this show a few different times from some different angles. The pictures of people on the castle aren’t very big though. You’d almost have to be in the hub or closer to see them in any detail… either that or I need a new prescription for my contacts.
Agreed. But when I saw how strong those projectors were and the graphics they used - I was blown away!

He didn’t want to wear them at first, but I think he realized they helped make it quieter, and once he figured that out, he was happy to have them on.
Nice. :thumbsup2


How would you measure that? :confused3
Close your eyes on the ride for a baseline. Then open them. If it's darker than your baseline, well, there you go. Proven.

I was going to bring up Drew Brees! Looks like they made your son drunk, though.
Now you're thinking of Kyle Orton.
 
Character breakfast with young kids is always a new adventure. Sometimes they decide out of nowhere that characters are scary and sometimes they fall in love with them. :confused3
This whole trip was an adventure. We never knew what to expect. It sure was fun though. :thumbsup2

Dole Whips are the perfect solution to a sleeping son. :love: Glad the beginning of your MK day was smooth and relaxed.
Dole Whips could be the perfect solution to a lot of things.

Lol cute update. At least he didn't cry or worse. The first time my DN met Pluto he punched him :lmao:
:scared1: :lmao::rotfl2::rotfl: Poor Pluto... :sad2:
 
Those trash cans are a great space saver! :goodvibes
Were you in Magic Kingdom on the 28th? Think we were in Epcot and it poured that day :sad2:
 
I guess I missed the CM update, but I'm all caught up now! :thumbsup2

It stinks Landon wasn't more inviting for the characters, but at least he didn't completely freak out. We are skipping the character meals for our DL trip due to limited time, but I'm planning on at least one if not two for our next WDW trip, so hopefully Paxton still likes the characters by then. You are so right, it's barely worth the money when they ARE into the characters (I mean, seriously...$35 for a breakfast buffet?!), but definitely not worth the money when they don't like the characters! Hopefully by the next time you go he will be a less nervous around them.

Bummer about the rain! And TTA in the rain sounds depressing. :laughing: It does get pitch black in there at the Space Mountain park (I couldn't see my hand in front of my face) but luckily DS was still too young to be afraid of the dark. I'm now reading your TR as preparation for our next trip when DS will be 2! :rotfl: I haven't thought of these things yet!

The Drew Brees inspired earmuffs worked great. He didn’t have a single problem with fireworks the whole trip with these things on. He didn’t want to wear them at first, but I think he realized they helped make it quieter, and once he figured that out, he was happy to have them on. I highly recommend them… and again thanks to khertz for posting a link to them in your PTR.

I'm so glad they worked for you!! I can't take credit for the idea, that was DH, but you're still very welcome. Really, we should all be thanking Drew & Brittany Brees for thinking of their son's hearing and inspiring Disney World lovers to use them for fireworks! :lmao:

That picture of Landon from behind watching the fireworks is precious!!
 
I'm so glad they worked for you!! I can't take credit for the idea, that was DH, but you're still very welcome. Really, we should all be thanking Drew & Brittany Brees for thinking of their son's hearing and inspiring Disney World lovers to use them for fireworks! :lmao:

In the update, Andy said you gave him the link of where to purchase these headphones. Would you mind sharing that link with me?

Also, I saw that you are in Youngsville...my family & I live in Lafayette! We just moved to Lafayette this past June and are seriously considering moving to Youngsville for the schools.
 
Lovely update! I am glad you have a way to help your little one with the noise. I always feel bad for the kids crying during fireworks
 
:scared1: :lmao::rotfl2::rotfl: Poor Pluto... :sad2:

I wasn't there but the story actually sounded really funny and the picture is even funnier. He was only about a year and a half and in the pic his Daddy is holding him beside pluto and the look on DN's face is kind of like who exactly do you think you are at Pluto and apparently after the pic was taken he just punched him on the nose! :lmao:
 
In the update, Andy said you gave him the link of where to purchase these headphones. Would you mind sharing that link with me?

Also, I saw that you are in Youngsville...my family & I live in Lafayette! We just moved to Lafayette this past June and are seriously considering moving to Youngsville for the schools.

http://www.earplugstore.com/ear-muffs-for-children.html

Here is the link to where we got the earmuffs. We bought the second one down in the right hand column, basically just because we wanted black ones instead of blue.:confused3

There ya go, Andy beat me to it & posted the link.

How crazy (& funny!) that you are practically my neighbor!! I have heard great things about the schools in Youngsville, which is a plus. It is growing so quickly around here compared to when we moved here a few years ago.

I always figured I was probably the only crazy DISer in Lafayette until one day at work, a nurse on another unit stopped me in the cafeteria to tell me she had read my TR! :lmao: Needless to say, we are now "Disney friends" at work!! Well, if you ever see me around at Rouse's or something say hi!
 
Well, in spite of the rain, it sounds like y'all had a wonderful time at MK! And it seems like DS did well with the rides.
Any day spent in MK is a wonderful day.:thumbsup2

I have to ask where you bought the ear phone things for your son. Reid doesn't like fireworks but won't wear ear plugs. Maybe I should buy some like you did before our next trip.
See the post above.

Good plan using the trashcan for cover! I might steal that idea next time, you read how camping out on the curb worked for me. :rolleyes:
Yeah, I can't say that I'm envious of your experience. :lmao: I wasn't sure about the idea of standing behind the trash can at first, but as long as the CM's do their job and keep the vultures from getting in front of them and standing in the edge of the street, it really works very well.:thumbsup2

Landon looks really cute with those earmuffs, like he is getting ready for a recording session! Glad they worked out so well! :thumbsup2
I was shocked by how well he tolerated them. We can't even keep a hat on the kid.
 
How would you measure that? :confused3
Don't ask me. You're the engineer.

I'm sure the noises from the ride such as people shrieking calmed him down. :thumbsup2
You must be thinking of Tower of Terror. This was Space Mountain.

Nice work buddy! :thumbsup2 Random spins really help your score on that ride, too.
I was going to watch the Youtube video and study so that I could get 999,999. I forgot to do it though. Somehow in the midst of his spins I managed to hit 2 100k targets... :confused3 so yes, random spins most definitely help.

He looks entranced to me. Better make quite a few return trips.
:sad2: and get it on video tape.

:headache: I guess I shouldn't be, but I'm always amazed at the amount of people who think they can stroll right into a heavily crowded event without any wait and act like they own the place.
Don't you have any idea how much money they paid to be there?

Great parade pictures! The castle looks awesome, too.
Our CM friend actually took the pictures that night. I had the kid and DW had the video camera... but thanks.:rotfl2:

Can't beat Father Time...
:sad2: I think a switch flipped when I turned 30. I used to play basketball twice a week every fall/winter. So far I've played 3 times since I turned 30 because I keep getting hurt.

I was going to bring up Drew Brees! Looks like they made your son drunk, though.
Yeah but he obviously wasn't. We were in MK.

These are never, ever gratuitous.
I knew you'd approve.
 
Thank you for the link!

There ya go, Andy beat me to it & posted the link.

How crazy (& funny!) that you are practically my neighbor!! I have heard great things about the schools in Youngsville, which is a plus. It is growing so quickly around here compared to when we moved here a few years ago.

I always figured I was probably the only crazy DISer in Lafayette until one day at work, a nurse on another unit stopped me in the cafeteria to tell me she had read my TR! :lmao: Needless to say, we are now "Disney friends" at work!! Well, if you ever see me around at Rouse's or something say hi!

I grew up in Lafayette but I haven't lived here for about 20 years. I cannot believe how much this side of town (around Kaliste Saloom & Verot) have grown! It's unreal! When I was growing up it seemed like Youngsville was far away. But, now with everything on this side of town, it's really just a jump away.

That's too funny that your co-worker found your TR on here! Who knows....there's probably enough of us in this area to organize a DIS Lafayette meet.
 
Enjoying your trip report!! Can't wait to read more about your trip. Your son is precious!!
Hi, thanks for stopping by. We kind of like him too... most of the time.:lmao:

Woa. That's graduate level stuff at Purdue, isn't it? :rotfl2:
Just stating the Obvious for the Oblivious.:confused3

Agreed. :thumbsup2 (Until the kids start to suffocate under the plastic, that is.
Ours is vented. :thumbsup2

Slowly creeping through Tomorrowland. Add in a center rail to bang into, and you've got a speedway!
:lmao::rotfl2:

Were you whistling Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah too?
:confused3 Possibly. I was in Disney World.:goodvibes

You may be planning to address this later, but how was you DW with her, um...condition...during the trip?
It was really a "non-issue" for the most part. We got some breaks in during the day, she got plenty of sleep and I didn't hear any complaints. I was told I was walking too fast and we needed to slow down a few times, but that was it. :lmao:

She had been suffering some nausea though. She never did get sick so DS spinning the car in Buzz wasn't exactly something she appreciated. I had to eventually take the stick from him because I think she really might have lost her lunch if he kept it up.

She got on the Tea cups, but we didn't spin our cup at all. She handled that better than Buzz.

Yes, but it does add more horsepower to spin with!
Yeah, but not when one of the adults is pregnant.

Mark already pointed how how people seem to think they can walk right up at the 11th hour and get a great spot, so I won't beat that dead horse. However, do people look down the street and see all these trashcans with no kids on them and think to themselves "I have a great idea that no one has ever had before! I'll put my kids on this here trash can. It's a perfect viewing spot!" Typically, when no one else is doing something, it probably means it's now allowed. :sad2:
Quit being silly. It's not that it isn't allowed. It's just that of the thousands of people who come there every day, 365 days a year, for the last 40 years, nobody else has ever been smart enough to think of it.:thumbsup2

(Great pictures, though!)
Thanks, but again, credit goes to our CM friend...

Agreed. But when I saw how strong those projectors were and the graphics they used - I was blown away!
Absolutely. I think my jaw hit the ground during the Buzz Lightyear part with the rocket launch.

Close your eyes on the ride for a baseline. Then open them. If it's darker than your baseline, well, there you go. Proven.
:lmao::rotfl2::rotfl:

Now you're thinking of Kyle Orton.
See, when I think drunk quarterback, I think Joe Namath. :lmao::rotfl2:
 
Those trash cans are a great space saver! :goodvibes
Were you in Magic Kingdom on the 28th? Think we were in Epcot and it poured that day :sad2:
Yes, that was the 28th. Quite the miserable afternoon, but it was nice later at night.

It stinks Landon wasn't more inviting for the characters, but at least he didn't completely freak out. We are skipping the character meals for our DL trip due to limited time, but I'm planning on at least one if not two for our next WDW trip, so hopefully Paxton still likes the characters by then. You are so right, it's barely worth the money when they ARE into the characters (I mean, seriously...$35 for a breakfast buffet?!), but definitely not worth the money when they don't like the characters! Hopefully by the next time you go he will be a less nervous around them.
I haven't got to this part yet, but we ended up canceling all of our character meals. I kind of regret it now though, because I think if we had done another one at the end of the trip he would have been fine.

Bummer about the rain! And TTA in the rain sounds depressing. :laughing: It does get pitch black in there at the Space Mountain park (I couldn't see my hand in front of my face) but luckily DS was still too young to be afraid of the dark. I'm now reading your TR as preparation for our next trip when DS will be 2! :rotfl: I haven't thought of these things yet!
I'm glad I mentioned that part then. I never even thought about it myself. It's the Peoplemover... where will you ever find a more tame ride that that???? :lmao: He did fine on other dark rides, I think it was just the fact that it was so completely dark and there was just nothing to look at or listen to for part of it.

I'm so glad they worked for you!! I can't take credit for the idea, that was DH, but you're still very welcome. Really, we should all be thanking Drew & Brittany Brees for thinking of their son's hearing and inspiring Disney World lovers to use them for fireworks! :lmao:

That picture of Landon from behind watching the fireworks is precious!!
Ok then credit goes to DDuck4Life too.:thumbsup2

Lovely update! I am glad you have a way to help your little one with the noise. I always feel bad for the kids crying during fireworks
I'm glad too. I'd have hated to have to skip out on all the fireworks displays.:rotfl::lmao:

I wasn't there but the story actually sounded really funny and the picture is even funnier. He was only about a year and a half and in the pic his Daddy is holding him beside pluto and the look on DN's face is kind of like who exactly do you think you are at Pluto and apparently after the pic was taken he just punched him on the nose! :lmao:
Sometimes a good character interaction like that can be better than a positive one. I'm sure that story will be told for years to come. It would have been great if they could have caught it on video. :lmao: :rotfl2:
 
Yes, that was the 28th. Quite the miserable afternoon, but it was nice later at night.
We were in Epcot that day.. It was a fun day :rolleyes: (I'll leave the story to the trip report don't want to spoil it lol)

Sometimes a good character interaction like that can be better than a positive one. I'm sure that story will be told for years to come. It would have been great if they could have caught it on video. :lmao: :rotfl2:

I dunno if they caught that one I think he also had a moment that same trip where he randomly started cooing and smiling at a blonde lady and I'm pretty sure they caught that. He was only about a year and half at the time.
 















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