May 11th 2008 ~ Any Double Dippers Out There?

[alecsmom]

Hi ladies - I need some ADVICE from you Disney experts. We are back from our trip to Six Flags - and my DS was terrified of everything!! He didn't want to get on any rides that looked remotely scary or dark. Not even the beloved cave ride that I was looking forward to Branv! I think this all had something to do with the fact that my HUSBAND took him on a roller coaster that he wasn't quite ready for here at Fiesta Texas a while back - and since then he's been afraid of everything, where before that he was willing to try anything. We wound up spending most of the time at the hotel pool which was his favorite part of the whole vacation!

I am not happy - thinking I'm gonna spend all this money and go all that way and my DS is gonna refuse to get on anything!!! We were watching the planning DVD yesterday and I was asking him "doesn't that look like fun?" "wouldn't you like to get on that" and all he kept saying was "NO NO NO!" and THEN "I DON'T WANT TO GO TO DISNEYWORLD!" I was like this

So anybody have any suggestions/ideas/advice for getting a soon to be 5 year old prepared?? I am not going to force him on anything, but I want him to be able to at least be open to trying things, and I keep thinking about all the dark waiting areas that the Disney rides have - even though they're cool, he might be intimidated. HELP!

 

[Mousermom]

Hey Ladies!

I know this is going to sound stupid, but what does it mean to get "tagged"?

I was going to ask the very same question about the Palo brunch. I HOPE there is going to be one because I am REALLY looking forward to this!

I also hope it's not true about Space Mountain! It's one of our favorites!

Not really interested in the P&P Party. This was offered in March and DS was not interested so we didn't do it.

Yvonne:

PLEASE don't back out on us , too!

Does your son like to watch Disney cartoons? Maybe you can introduce him to those and slowly work your way up to the rides. Also, when you go to MK, start out at Mickey's Toontown Fair. Show him Mickey and Minnie's houses and the little rides and maybe he'll come around. I hope he does because I am looking forward to meeting everyone!

Mary Beth

 

[branv]

Hi ladies - I need some ADVICE from you Disney experts. We are back from our trip to Six Flags - and my DS was terrified of everything!! He didn't want to get on any rides that looked remotely scary or dark. Not even the beloved cave ride that I was looking forward to Branv! I think this all had something to do with the fact that my HUSBAND took him on a roller coaster that he wasn't quite ready for here at Fiesta Texas a while back - and since then he's been afraid of everything, where before that he was willing to try anything. We wound up spending most of the time at the hotel pool which was his favorite part of the whole vacation!

I am not happy - thinking I'm gonna spend all this money and go all that way and my DS is gonna refuse to get on anything!!! We were watching the planning DVD yesterday and I was asking him "doesn't that look like fun?" "wouldn't you like to get on that" and all he kept saying was "NO NO NO!" and THEN "I DON'T WANT TO GO TO DISNEYWORLD!" I was like this
HELP!

Oh no!

Well, you can tell him
1) Mickey cries when little boys won't ride his rides
or
2) bribe him with a Mickey bar for every ride he rides. Caution: bring bags for the inevitable bio-spill

Just kidding!!

Of course I'm not a mom, so everything I say should be taken with a grain of salt. But I know how frustrating it's been when my nieces get a thought into their heads and are as immovable as mules! ARGH! Have heart -- it's 10 months until our trip, and time can make a world of difference

But don't give up hope Just remember, there's plenty of things at WDW for the timid and the brave. And this trip is not just about your little one, but about mommy and daddy too. That means you can take him on the easy peasy stuff (Carousel, Toontown, Dumbo and Carpets, Jungle Cruise during the day, animals at AK, rides you can spin as "we're seeing a movie," such as Philharmagic, parades, characters, Train, IASW since it's lit up, etc), and you and your husband can do the child hand off for the scary rides you want to ride! Maybe it could be a blessing in disguise to let you explore a little more than you might otherwise. Though we tend to tour commando, some of our favorite times together have been when we slowed down, strolled along Main Street, getting some decadent treats at the bakery and enjoying the scenery.

Some more thoughts:

-Watch every Travel channel show on Disney you can with him (ok, well fast forward if they show the Dinosaur ride, LOL ). In fact, I just did a search and there is one show on this week. "Behind the Scenes at WDW," showing Thursday at 8 pm on the Travel Channel (though that's probably a more boring one for the bebe's)

-Another trick my sister uses is to have her daughters sit and watch a ride for a little bit to see if they want to ride it. Sometimes it works (esp. after seeing younger kids braving it) and sometimes it just firms their resolve. But it's worth a shot.

-If you happen to know any people with children who've been to WDW, maybe you could get them into a convo about how much fun they had. You know, positive peer pressure and all

-I've read on here of parents giving their children glow sticks or small pen flashlights in order to help them manage the dark a little better.

-With four parks in two days, I feel confident with hopping you can find plenty of things he would be willing to do. Though if you don't already plan on it, I would add non-expiring. Any unused days (like he really really won't do anything but the pool) are not a waste and you can use them the next time you visit.

-Have you thought about the babysitting service for one night so you and your DH can get out and enjoy the older persons rides together? I don't know much about it, but I'm sure you can find the answer around here somewhere!

Either way, I would not cancel. It being a four-night cruise, I can see how otherwise your vacation might feel short. Staying at AKL alone will feel like a vacation, and I think you will find plenty of things to do around the World.

Keeping my fingers crossed in the meantime that he comes around a little more

 

[branv]

Hey Ladies!

I know this is going to sound stupid, but what does it mean to get "tagged"?

You know that area to the left under your name? You can put text there, but sometimes the mysterious tag fairy will come in and put something there for you, usually in another color. He/She usually pulls it from something you've said in a post that caught his/her attention. It's completely random, though I've noticed it's picked up lately. My "tag" came from a post I made on the Budget board, and I know about 1-2 other people have posted over there that they were just tagged. Though I hear it happens most often at the Community Board.

 

[alecsmom]

Hey Mary Beth and Branv - thanks for the advice and encouragement. I am NOT going to back out! I am way too excited about this - so I have convinced myself it's all going to work out. And I can't wait to meet you guys as well, I knew you'd come through with words of wisdom.

He loves Toy Story, Monsters Inc., stuff like that - and he can even watch Pirates of the Caribbean over and over, so hopefully this is just a little phase we're going thru and he'll get over it once he sees WDW. Our tickets with the land/sea package do come with park hopper - so that's a cool benefit I thought.

And Branv I loved how you said the trip was for mommy and daddy too - that's exactly what I want to hear!

I just started freaking out yesterday when we were watching the planning DVD and he was so against everything. I'll try various other things but I'm gonna lay low for a while with him, and not bring Disney up for a while. Maybe if he has a break he'll be more agreeable in the future. I really believe that once he gets there he's gonna be like this

Oh and Mary Beth that wasn't a stupid question - I didn't know what "tagged" was either - thanks for clearing it up Branv!

 

[branv]

Doy, I was just editing my post to add, delete and edit some stuff when I realized...you'd already posted! So, y'know, sorry about the writing mistakes Hope you weren't too confused by some of the stuff I wrote.

 

[CustardTart]

Sorry to hear about your dilemma, Yvonne! On our first visit to WDW back in 1992, my eldest DS (then almost 7) was completely traumatised by Space Mountain on our first day in MK and not really up for trying too much the rest of the vacation. It wasn't a huge problem as DH and I were able to go on rides using the 'hand-over' system. Sometimes we queued up for something (POTC springs to mind) on the understanding he didn't have to go on but we wanted to and, as we approached the ride, it didn't freak him so he agreed to try it.

...I'll try various other things but I'm gonna lay low for a while with him, and not bring Disney up for a while. Maybe if he has a break he'll be more agreeable in the future. I really believe that once he gets there he's gonna be like this ...

That's got to be the best course of action! If it were me, I'd play the whole thing down for now and, if he brings it up, make it clear that no one is going to force him to do anything he doesn't want to do. Other than that, I'd be as 'disinterested' in the topic as possible...

Good luck! I'm sure it'll work out...

 

[alecsmom]

Karen - thank you so much for the good advice and support. I knew you guys would come through and make me feel better! I think I'm just way too excited about the trip and want my little family to share the excitement! I guess it's way too early right now. So I'll just stick to the boards and leave my DS alone for a while. I know he'll come around. Thanks!

Yvonne

 

[branv]

Alecsmom - I was just wondering, what roller coaster did your DS go on at Fiesta? Was it that little train looking one? Your post made me remember when I was 7 and my Girl Scout troop leader talked me into going on the Runaway Mine Train at SFoT. All it had was those little drop bars, and the way I slid around I thought for sure I was about to fly right out. I eventually got back on roller coasters, so I'm sure your DS will come back around

So does anyone have that Ratatouille theme song stuck in their head? Have I even seen the movie? Well, no, but all those darn commercials, and now I keep running around singing, "Rat-a-touilleeeeeeeee, ratatouille" It's driving me crrrrrrazy!

Any big plans for the 4th? (And yes, CT, that even means you...you might have a really exciting Wednesday planned for all we know )

 

[alecsmom]

Branv - DH took him on the Roadrunner Express - very similar to the Mine Train - something DS was NOT ready for and I wouldn't have taken him on it just yet - but those two went without me. We have season passes to Fiesta TX and we went the next day and I heard a mother comforting her little girl - around same age as my son - and she told me "yesterday my husband took her on that roller coaster (same one) and now she's afraid of everything!" MEN !!!

Anyway, hope everyone has a great Fourth - no plans, just want to relax for a change!

 

[CustardTart]

Greetings fellow Divas! I hope all my American friends...

Have a great Independence Day!!!

Best wishes...

 

[Mousermom]

Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th.

Nothing special planned, just relaxing!

Talk to you all soon!

 

[Mousermom]

Just wanted to let you girls know that the Disney shows are on the Travel Channel tonight at 9 p.m. here on the east coast.

WDW Resorts at 9.

Disney Cruise Line at 10.

Talk to you all soon!

Mary Beth

 

[alecsmom]

Thanks for the heads up Mary Beth! I was wondering what to watch tonight - it's on here too - woo hoo! Of course, since it's Disney I'll have to send my son out of the room....

 

[branv]

Thanks for the heads up! DH is hogging the TV playing a Wii game he rented, so I set it up on the DVR, presto chango, and I have something to watch tomorrow while I'm doing housework!

Hmmm...that didn't sound too exciting, did it?

Well what I really meant was that my CIA rendevous is tonight, so I've set my DVR to watch it while slicing cheeses for my 2000 vintage Bordeaux tasting party tomorrow night. How ever do I find the time to teach Swahili sign language to Peace Corps volunteers?

Much better...

Hope everyone had a good holiday. We didn't do squat, which is sometimes a really good thing Tried to enjoy a juicy messy watermelon on our back porch while watching the local lunatics shoot off their fireworks (i.e. burn their roofs down), but since our backyard has officially turned into a swamp from the unending monsoon, I was chased inside by mosquitos, crazed crickets, and one spider with a determined look in it's eye(s).

Do you know it occurs to me that all of you know each other's names (don't be offended, but I'm really REALLY bad at names..sort of a mental block), but I've never shared mine. Though I loathe my name, I'll go ahead and tell you what it is with the disclaimer that if you do an online search using my name, I am NOT the inevitable porn star or stripper-for-hire that you will pull up.

My name is Brandi. Though in my 20's I might have been a fine girl, I have never nor will I ever walk through a sailing town after the bar's close down, loving a man who's not around. And luckily my husband's life, love and his lady is not the sea.

(Boy I really hope you got everything I referred to, otherwise I'll really sound like a lunatic)

 

[Mousermom]

Yvonne,

That's a sin! I'm sure he'll be OK with Disney soon.

Brandi:

I swear, I was just thinking about you while I was watching the show about the fact that we didn't know your name yet. I'm glad we do now!!!

I got everything you said. Who sings that song, anyway?

I wanted to ask those of you who are going to WDW along with the cruise:

Will you be going before or after the cruise? We are going to POFQ after for 3
days.

Have we heard anything about Palo brunch yet?

If we don't get the brunch, they better offer something pretty good in its place. (Besides the fact that we'll be at CC for 2 days. I guess I'm pushing it, aren't I?)


See ya,
Mary Beth

 

[alecsmom]

Mary Beth - tell me about it! But when I was watching it he walked into the room, looked halfway interested and was actually laughing at the Monsters Inc. bit. He'll come around. and we are going to WDW before the cruise.

Brandi - I was just thinking that I had no idea what your real name was! And now I have that song in my head...

Good night everybody.

 

[CustardTart]

Hi Brandi! Very nice to make your acquaintance!

My grandmother had two little Papillons called Whisky and Brandy (very cute) back in the 70's so, as a name, it's connotations are definitely more pet than strumpet...

But I have to confess, I have NO idea where the lyrics come from so could someone please enlighten me...?

 

[branv]

Not surprised about the dogs. Do you know how many times I've turned around to see who was calling my name, and realized it was just someone calling their Golden Retriever? I was named after a 70's-era song called, "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass. It's about a barmaid (or as my sister swears, she actually a hooker...thanks sis) who loves a sailor. But he loves the sea more than her, hence "at night when the bars close down, Brandy walks through a sailing town, and loves a man who's not around" (which is where the hooker part comes in).

I'm so very very proud.

Alecsmom - that's so great to hear that your DS is showing signs of coming around. Thank goodness your child is a boy - you know what short memories males have

Still no brunch news on this end. You can go to the disney cruise website and send them another email. Maybe they've got an update finally.

We are staying at WL before the cruise. That's assuming the 2008 rates don't go through the roof - our backup is the Swan or POFQ. I was just on the Codes and Rates board and people are now hearing it may be September before they release the 2008 room rates/packages. What the...?! Can you imagine if your trip was in January and you still didn't know for certain what your room was going to cost. I'd be wiggin'! Of course none of this applies to Yvonne or Karen (see how I'm trying to get used to using real name ), you lucky lucky girls.

 

[CustardTart]

...I was named after a 70's-era song called, "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass. It's about a barmaid (or as my sister swears, she actually a hooker...thanks sis) who loves a sailor. But he loves the sea more than her, hence "at night when the bars close down, Brandy walks through a sailing town, and loves a man who's not around" (which is where the hooker part comes in)...

So intrigued was I, that I had to download the track form Limewire! I do actually recognise it but would never have remembered it! Nice...

...We are staying at WL before the cruise...Of course none of this applies to Yvonne or Karen (see how I'm trying to get used to using real name ), you lucky lucky girls.

That's where we're staying! Really looking forward to it as it'll be our first time there... Well done with the names - you're doing very well. I'm OK with names, just pants with faces. So we might have spoken, exchanged life stories and sworn to be sisters forever but, chances are, the next time you see me I'll look right thro' you as if we've never met! I don't have many friends...