Marriage: The Trip Report - Update 2/28 - Final Thoughts & Link to Disneyland TR!

[MEK]

Potty training - that's huge!!!! Way to go Henry. When you're ready, you're ready.

I bet Henry was scared on TT because it was night time. I think the ride is scarier (and much cooler) at night. Poor thing. He was probably thinking "what the heck".

What a great first evening in the park. I know that giddy feeling!

 

[norybell]

Congrats to Henry on the potty training! That's awesome!

Ah, the International Gateway. How I love it. I can't believe I'll be there again so soon!

How funny that Henry was suddenly afraid of the 65 mph swoosh! Does that mean no more Test Track for him on this trip?

 

[jenseib]

Yay for potty training!

What a wonderful first evening. Uh oh, sounds like TT is no longer a favorite of Henry's. He'll get over it though. That lap outside is a little instense.

 

[Softballgirl27]

Thank you that really helps a lot. my school just passed a thing saying we get a full week off in Febuary. We decided we would visit disney then instead of in the summer since it is so hot and crowed. Now I am pumped for next year!!!:

 

[KatMark]

First and by far most important: on the potty training!

Second, great update. Love the sword and that no more measuring for Henry on the rides. I wonder why he didn't like the outdoor part of Test Track this time?

 

[tiggrbaby]

...for potty training! Things go so much better when they are ready! Henry is so cute with his lightsaber.

 

[tinacaplan]

for the potty training! I know how tough it is...we're still in the midst of it. Max is having problems with the second part of the whole endeavor, if you know what I mean, and the daycare folks suggested we put him in pull-ups because he was having accidents and needed a fresh pair of pants everyday. And now he's started occasionally wetting his pull-ups. We're going to fix this over our April break and hopefully get this sorted out once and for all!

Your evening in EPCOT looked blissful! I completely know what you mean about that first night, first time in a park feeling. It is the best! Having everything stretched out in front of you like that... and you had a lot of time in front of you! Can't wait to hear more about it!

 

[Poolrat]

Hooray for Henry!!!!

I hope his freak out on TT was shortlived and you were able to enjoy the ride many more times throughout your trip.

 

[rachel09985]

Lovin your trip report..Never commented on any trip report! You are my first one. Your son is so cute! Can't wait to read more

 

[PopArtGal]

I so understand what you mean about wanting to be in WDW now. I so want to be there that I'm about to cry lol Exhaustion will do that.

 

[MeMom]

Standing there, overlooking this beautiful resort area, I remember being giddy. Our trip was just starting, it was really happening! I was in Disney World!!!!! (and how I miss it now!)

I do know what you mean. It seems like so long since we left, and we're still in the same month!

 

[DisneyJoo2008]

Well done on the potty training Henry!!!

Love the update - I keep wondering if my niece will be brave enough for Test Track as I know she'd love it! I doubt my nephew will be tall enough - he's well over 3yrs but a shortie!

I have to ask - how does Henry get on showering each day (or however often he showers!)? Toby HATES showers and it made house hunting difficult for us. We found two amazing houses that would have been perfect but initially only had showers - it would have been a while until we could afford to extend the houses and fit a bath-tub. But as Toby hates showering so much, it was a no go!

Julie xxx

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for Henry being almost potty-trained! It really is a whole new world when that happens! LOL!

The glowing sword is very cool! I don't know as if I have ever really paid attention to the toys on those carts!

Test Track is a great ride to start the trip off with -- too bad Henry has become scared of it.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Henry looks so excited about the sword!

I was right! Test Track is such a good ride since we didn't get to ride it on our last trip I am anxious to ride it in May!

Sounds like a great first night!

 

[brookelizabeth]

for the potty training progress!!

Sounds like you had a wonderful first evening! I love the pictures of the Boardwalk area at night! Those resorts are all so gorgeous!

It was a pretty great first night - not at ALL what I expected it to be, which I'm certain attributed to my frustration with "the plan" being disrupted by the flight delay. BUT! Aside from all that, we had an awesome time in Epcot! It was nice to get at least one ride in on the first day!

just finished reading your Not so Creepy Clown TR and I'm excited to hear about this next trip!
Might go read some of your older TRs later on...I really enjoy your writing style!

Thank you!!!! I enjoy writing these reports so much...I wish I could make a job out of it.

First and foremost, let me congratulate you on the potty training. It is not something I have personally had to deal with(other than myself and I don't really remember that! ) but I can only imagine the woes that come with diaper changing and accidents, so I'm sure this is a big milestone for everyone on your end.

Now back to Disney!

Sounds like a perfect way to start your trip, a relaxing night in Epcot! But ooohhh boy, poor Henry wasn't as into Test Track this time? I'll have a 5 and a 7 year old with me on my May trip, I would like them to try Test Track but I hope I don't freak them out!

That really is such a gorgeous area. I think I'll just move there and live there foreverrr...

Potty Training STINKS! (in more ways than one. ) I'm soooo relieved to be about done with it.

I hope the 5 & 7 year old enjoy Test Track! I am thinking they will...I think for Henry, being 3, it's more of a feeling of being out of control that he doesn't like. By 5 & 7 they will probably be dragging you on over and over again!

Yeah for potty training bootcamp! That's how we did it too.
Good call on the sword and ride combo .
Funny that Henry was scared on Test track after loving it so much last trip. It seems the older they get the more they start to think about things. Jack's favorite ride when he was 3 was TT. Now , I couldn't pay him to ride it.

The bootcamp was a LONG STINKIN' DAY, but worth it!

We were very surprised about Henry being scared on Test Track! We had spoken about it since September, we've watched the YouTube video a bazillion times. He knew what it all entailed....I really hope the fear goes away by our next trip! About 2 days after we got home from this trip he said, "I'll ride Test Track now!"

WTG Henry with the potty training! Isn't it an awesome feeling to be able to leave the diaper bag at home?!

I wonder if the outside loop on TT bothered him this time because it was dark outside? Of course, I remember my boys at that age suddenly becoming scared of something that never bothered them before, it's baffling trying to figure out how their little brains work!

The Boardwalk looks so beautiful at night

It is SO AWESOME not to have to worry about having diapers and all that! Thankfully our stroller pouch thing has little pockets for all that, so it's been easy in that department since we've moved here....but....it's undies are still easier! It's just the public bathrooms factor that wigs me out a bit.

That's a good point about it being dark....Hmmm...Now I'm trying to think it if was dark the other time we got him on it too....I can't remember, I guess when I get that far in the TR we'll find out together. But, he is at that age where he's not scared one minute, then scared another minute.

So happy to hear that Henry is almost fully potty trained now. Way to go big boy! Your potty training boot camp is much like the one they had at the daycare my children attended and I continued when they came home for the day. I was so happy that the daycare helped with the potty training as I had heard that some daycares didn't give a darn.

Henry looked so excited to ride Test Track and I hated to hear that he was afraid during the outside part of the ride.

I loved your nighttime pictures of the Boardwalk. It's beautiful.

How nice that your daycare helped!!!!! That is RARE! I started looking into daycares around here thinking I might be working by now, and none of them helped with that. They seemed like they expected him to be potty trained already at his age.

He was SO excited to ride! Shrieking and running up the queue... excited one minute, then scared the next....ah, a 3 year old!

and on the potty training! We just got there ourselves a few months ago and I still marvel at how much easier life has become.

Can't wait to see the haircut!

Thank you for the cheers! It's SO wonderful to be almost completely done with it all!

Go Henry on the potty training!!!!!

I agree, the baby stations are really nice. I was surprised when I went in the one at Epcot. Creighton didn't want to leave so I had to carry him out screaming.

Love love love Test Track. It is so fun. Creighton and I love to youtube Disney ride videos.

Sounds like it was a great evening!

Henry never wants to leave the Baby Care Centers either! Other people's toys are always the coolest, aren't they? When Henry was 1 he just loved going room to room to room. Now he likes playing with the toys and greeting anyone that comes in! LOL

That looked like a great night to me, Brook!

It was! Aside from the frustration between Joe and I. But! We got that worked out. The time in Epcot was awesome. Great food and an awesome first ride!

Sounds like you guys had a wonderful Epcot evening! And I agree about waiting for the post-fireworks crowds to leave, I don't mind soaking in some more of that Epcot ambiance!

I would have been okay sleeping in Epcot that night.

 

[jessily]

Love the update! It must have been so exciting to know that you had 2 whole weeks ahead of you

I love your descriptions of the decision making between you and Joe. My boyfriend and I are the same way. He's completely laid back and doesn't understand my need to always make a plan (although he is endlessly patient with me on that front). The other day I casually mentioned that our trip is 100 days away (on the inside I was ) and that we should probably make a plan. His response? "but we have a plan. We booked a flight and hotel and we have our old park tickets. so isn't that the plan?"

 

[LookinUp]

Just had to say hello. Your intro had me hooked, since I am such a planner-doer and my DH is sooooo not. You're right that compromise is key. For example, last week's spring break trip (not Disney) was slow-paced, so I figure I can super-schedule our Sept WDW trip! I've already started the spreadsheet. (Sadly, no, I'm not kidding!) OK, now for 2nd coffee & catching up here.

 

[brookelizabeth]

It sounds like you had a great night. Congrats on potty training. Lexi has finally been able to stay dry at night for the past month or so. I am so glad to not have to spend money on that stuff any more.

Henry has been staying dry at night so far too! We still put him in a pull-up (but not at nap time), but we have the kind where a design on the front disappears if they wet it. It still amazes me!

yay for potty training! Eric had to be naked for 2 full days for it to work but it did the trick!

TT is a perfect first ride if you ask me

Where did you get an appointment for a haircut???? I thought MSB was walk up only???

When you mentioned that Eric hated being naked I really had a moment with Henry. I was thinking it might be something similar -- so THANK YOU!!!!! That was a major key to it all I think!! He was not happy with me when I told him I wouldn't put his pants back on until he tried, but it sure did work! Thankfully it didn't take 2 days though!

MSB started taking appointments a while back, you have to call as if you were making an ADR - they aren't available online. So slick to walk right past that line!

Great job on having the potty training behind you...lol
That is my LEAST favorite job as a parent...and I am happy to say that I accomplished that dirty task 4 times

Looks like a great beginning to your trip! I am still holding out hope that Alexa will have a growth spurt in the next two months and be able to ride some of the bigger rides. I am afraid she will react like Henry on the outside lap of TT if she is able to ride.....although I dont think she will make 40inches
Thats so sweet Henry enjoys the bath since you guys dont have one. We have one, and Alexa loves it too....but I find it so much easier to throw her in the shower with me. I think I am depriving her and we HAVE a bathtub!

Cant wait for more

I am hoping along with you for that growth spurt!!! She would probably love Soarin'. Test Track can be hit or miss with the little ones it seems.

A shower is easier/quicker than a bath, that is for sure! Especially in our case since Henry doesn't enjoy it.

Loving the TR. You are one popular lady. Page 17?! Your food pictures always make me want to blow my diet but I have learned to chew gum while I am on the Dis. It helps me from walking over to the fridge !
Thanks for the baby care pics. We have still never made it into one. Maybe this trip. I was so sure I would get Brady to potty train before the trip but he is stubborn too. He will go once, get lavished in praise nad then nada. It doesn't help having a younger brother in diapers following you everywhere.
Anyway, yay for Henry!

That is a GREAT idea about chewing gum while DISing! I might have to adopt that one. I am ridiculous and I always look at the Food Pictures thread when I'm starving. Bad idea!

That is how Henry was with the potty forever and a day. Then just this round it has worked and he enjoys doing it! Finally! The Baby Care Centers are awesome. I especially like them when it's HOT out because they are a perfect getaway for the little ones to cool down. They are never really crowded either.

Go Henry and can I get a big WOO-HOO for mama! Having no diapers to change rocks the party. I told you when they are ready, they are ready and it's amazing how they just wake up one morning and get it. I will have my first diaper free trip next time and i can't wait.

It's true! I knew this day would come, but it seemed so far off, and I still have a hard time believing it all after how many times I've cried over potty training.

Hey BE!

I heard tell there might be some cabbage talk going down on this here TR so I hurried over post haste.

I missed the end of your last tale so I'll have to go find it.

Henry is getting so big! These days go by so fast!

And I love that you did the trip reveal just as you were getting ready to go.

Hope all is well in NYC land.

I answered your other question over on Liesa's thread. (Missed seeing it the first time around.)

Great photos as always. I especially loved the night shots of the Boardwalk.

Give my best to Joe!

Y'all take care!

Hey GB! Yes! There IS cabbage coming, but it's not for a while. I'll sent out the Cabbage Signal when it shows.

I gotta get caught up (again) on Liesa's thread. I'm certain by the time I make it over there I'll be 20 pages behind again!

on Henry being potty trained - how cool!!!

Love the Epcot pics and the one of Henry showing he is tall enough to ride TT

Them night time picks look awesome!! Am glad you managed to find a solution to getting the milk for the next day

I was relieved when we figured out a solution to the milk ordeal. I just did NOT want to be dawdling around the room and then still have to go buy milk and all that. I like a plan before I fall asleep! Buying milk at the BW was actually CHEAPER than the Hess anyway!

Go Henry!! I'm so happy for you and him Brook! Congrats on the potty training success!

I appreciate you posting the pics of the Baby Care Center. I'll definitely need these in October. I'm glad to know that they are well stocked and have nice CM's. I never even thought about places like this before I had a baby, but now, if I go to a restaurant with my daughter and they don't have a changing table in the bathrooms, I make a mental note of it.

I hope Henry being scared on TT isn't a re-occuring theme.

The Baby Care Centers are so nice! It's a great little getaway to sit down, relax, feed, change, etc. We've gotten a couple snacks in the past then brought them to the BCC and eaten them while H played. Worked slick!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Woohoo for potty training being successful! You will be a free woman now.... well, you'll now know where all of the public restrooms are in NYC!
Ok, say it isn't so..... please tell me they were taking the purple twirling things away to clean them or something. I love those things! Not sure why... I guess they are just Epcot... and the canopy overhead... I will miss all of that.
Your night time shots are great! I love how Henry just knows what to do, he's a true Disney boy! Hummm, a scary outside ride on TT... maybe because it was at night?

And speaking of NYC public bathrooms, we purchased a big 'ol container of Lysol wipes the other day for the stroller...some of those bathrooms are SCARY!

We were fans of the purple twirly things too! But, I don't believe they are coming back from what I have read....but then again, a rumor is just a rumor. Time will tell! I also like the canopy!!

I didn't even think about him being scared because it was at night. The next time we ride TT he tells us about being scared, and I can't remember if that was at night or not...when I get that far in the TR we'll know from the pics - I really do wonder if that was part of it though...

I. Hated. Potty. Training. It was far worse than the driving lessons are going, far worse than homeschooling, and most every other aspect of parenting there is. some were better than others, but most went down with a fight. One peed until he was 11 at night. It was a great day in my house when all that was over.

Brook, I love your perspective of writing this from a "he said, she said" POV. Compromises all along the way.

Great chapter! Surprising though that this TT time around (no pun intended) scared him. huh...

Oh man! And you had to deal with that FIVE TIMES. UGH! I cannot even imagine doing it more than once. If we still live in NYC when Henry turns 16 we can hopefully just skip the driving lessons.

This trip seemed to be all about the compromise! More than normal even! Usually we just flow right along...but this time was a bit different. I think Joe was more vocal on what he wanted to do this trip than he ever has been in the past.

Great start to the trip! Hoping Henry's fear on TT was just from being at night. Maybe because you can't fully see the track ahead of you? :

But CONGRATS ON THE POTTY TRAINING!!!
I cannot wait till my niece is fully there. Hoping that day comes soon!

I didn't even think about it because of it being at night. I am wondering if that is part of it. I'm also hoping by next trip he won't be scared anymore!

Potty training is such a pain! I hope your niece gets it SOON!

Yah for the potty training progress, you must be so proud

Your night at epcot sounds awesome, and I love the pics of the Boardwalk at night, it is so gorgeous!

It is such a beautiful area. I never get tired of seeing it, I've stopped along that bridge several times just to gaze out.

IMO, Epcot is best at night after the masses make their way out...the lights, the fountain, the music How lovely it must be to walk "home"!

Good job Henry on the potty training No diaper bag...next, no stroller...can you even imagine!

I agree! Epcot is so beautiful at night...one of our favorite memories from our honeymoon was after Epcot had officially closed and the fountain and music were going...we just stood there and watched it. Love, love, love it.

Oh, no stroller! How I long for thee!!!! We really are going to work on THAT this summer. We walk everywhere, so we will have a stroller for a long while yet, but just to get Henry to walk to the grocery store would be nice! He "get's tired" after about 3 blocks.

Congrats on the potty training... I can't wait to get there myself
I just realized that I didn't visit one care center when we were there, and I really wanted to check them out.. We just took him to the restrooms... I guess I'm so used to it I completely forgot.

I love the picture of Henry making sure he was tall enough to ride TT... too bad he was scared =/ Like pps have said maybe cause it was dark??

When did they start at your daycare? My son just moved into the toddler 2 class where they do the potty training boot camp, they haven't said anything about starting yet but in the daily observation sheet there is a space for them to write about it... I hope I have a similar experience to yours

We hit a lot of the restrooms too with H - it's kinda nice doing that because you truly learn where EVERY bathroom in the World is! Very handy. LOL

How nice that your daycare does the potty training boot camp!! I would have loved for someone else to go through that with Henry. I was afraid I might go bald after a while!

YAY HENRY for rocking the potty chair !!

We love the fountain too. I didn't know the purple whirly dob things were gone and the tarp might be going. It is going to look so odd to me.

Great pictures at Test Track, so cute he went to the measuring stick! I wonder if the lap scared him this time because it was dark ? It seems faster at night.

I can't express how much I adore your Boardwalk pictures, so pretty !!

Why do men not understand our need to plan???? It is ingrained in us and they need to just deal with it. Bill is the fly by the seat of his pants kinda guy too, drives me crazy. I am glad you guys compromised.

It will look weird to me too. I've seen some older pictures before all that was added, and it looks nice, but just bare. I kinda like all the shapes and "energy" to the area. Maybe they will just update it all?

WHEN I take a solo trip I will be planning out a lot of the details! I look forward to that. I don't mind doing some fly by the seat of our pants sorta days, but not with everything and NOT when we have a 10:30 appointment to make! I know our track record all too well!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Congrats to Henry. I would love for my DS to stay dry at night, it would safe us some money. But I'm trying not to push that part too much.

I'm so with you and the planning and fortunately my DH just gives into it. But I'm not a minute to minute planner, so that helps.

I can't believe the line for TT that is so awesome.

I am really surprised Henry has been staying dry at nap time and through the night. It's just like something clicked inside and we everything at once! #1, #2, big potty, little potty, public, other people's homes, nap time, bed time! I suppose getting it all at once and it being "easy" this time around has been worth all the tears shed and frustrated days. I'm glad I don't have to keep training for months on end.

I thought this trip was PLENTY loose enough for Joe -- but it wasn't. I really don't understand what WOULD be loose enough for him though...as a hint, we didn't even see Wishes from the park until almost our last day! It just doesn't matter to him I guess...!

Yay!!! Congrats on Henry being (almost) potty trained! My niece is going to be 3 in a few months and wants NOTHING to do with the potty! My sister wants her trained by the time they go to WDW in September but who knows!

Love, love, love your first night in Epcot! I almost shed a little tear when you talked about the moment you stopped to soak in the fact that you were finally there and had a whole trip ahead of you! I love that! I so wish I was there right now too!

I am soooooo curious to see what happens on your next ride on Test Track...

That is how Henry was - if we even mentioned the potty most days he'd get upset. Then it just happened. Hopefully your niece will be the same and it will all click for her before September! I tried EVERYTHING and nothing worked except waiting!

I love that "we are really here!" moment too. I can still feel the way I felt in that moment. And I don't think that feeling will ever disappear no matter how many trips we take!

Loving your trip report... I read your last one, then this pre-trip report.
I must admit, I feel a bit like a stalker How lucky you are to have gone on your trips so close together, and then for 2 weeks!!!!!!
Henry is soooo cute!!!!!! and yay for the potty training!!!!!!

LOL! Don't feel like a stalker! It's okay! That's what these reports are for. I'm glad you are enjoying them!!! I feel like our trips were too far apart. I could easily go 3 or 4 times a year. I've got the sickness bad....

Congrats on the potty training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like you had a nice relaxing evening at Epcot!

It was! We had a great time! It was a fantastic start to the trip.

Potty training - that's huge!!!! Way to go Henry. When you're ready, you're ready.

I bet Henry was scared on TT because it was night time. I think the ride is scarier (and much cooler) at night. Poor thing. He was probably thinking "what the heck".

What a great first evening in the park. I know that giddy feeling!

Everyone has been mentioning it being at night - I am really wondering if that is what freaked him out. I didn't even think about it! I cannot remember if we rode at night last trip or not...probably not. Poor dude!

Congrats to Henry on the potty training! That's awesome!

Ah, the International Gateway. How I love it. I can't believe I'll be there again so soon!

How funny that Henry was suddenly afraid of the 65 mph swoosh! Does that mean no more Test Track for him on this trip?

I'm completely jealous of how many trips you've gotten to take lately! I am completely spoiled on the International Gateway and being at a monorail resort now. The buses haven't ever really bothered me, but now I full see the wonder of not having to take the bus!

We did hit Test Track with Henry one more time, and that is when he told us he didn't like it and was scared. This time he just got real quiet...I didn't think much of it. He bounced back to his normal self when we entered the after show area.

Yay for potty training!

What a wonderful first evening. Uh oh, sounds like TT is no longer a favorite of Henry's. He'll get over it though. That lap outside is a little instense.

I am hoping he gets over it! A few days after our trip he told me he was ready to ride TT again, he wasn't scared anymore.

You are off on the DREAM today. ENJOY IT GIRL! I can't wait to read your TR!

Thank you that really helps a lot. my school just passed a thing saying we get a full week off in Febuary. We decided we would visit disney then instead of in the summer since it is so hot and crowed. Now I am pumped for next year!!!:

Glad to help! We might be there during the last full week of February too. We'll see how it all rolls out for the rest of this year and next. I hope it's as warm as it was this year!! It was PERFECT out!

First and by far most important: on the potty training!

Second, great update. Love the sword and that no more measuring for Henry on the rides. I wonder why he didn't like the outdoor part of Test Track this time?

Thank you Kathy! I'm so happy this potty battle is behind us!

The next step is conquering those big roller coasters! We have yet to try ToT too...at this stage I think it would just scare the daylights out of him.

...for potty training! Things go so much better when they are ready! Henry is so cute with his lightsaber.

It's TRUE! It was a night and day difference when he decided to go for it. It took a bit of prodding, but not much!