Nory and Simba CRAWL through the World: We're Back! Thoughts on FastpassPlus NEW 10/5
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norybell
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OK, I think you're all right.
I'm officially committing to Epcot for Day 1 (really afternoon 1, by the time we get in and get settled).
So, I want to think through things for Simba in Epcot.
We'll probably spend a lot of time just strolling around the WS, looking in shops and stuff.
He might like:
Also Turtle Talk, which I've never seen. And the aquarium section of The Seas, which I haven't visited in probably decades. And maybe Living with the Land.
Of course, we won't do even nearly all of these things. I know we'll probably be in Epcot a lot, with the BC so close, so we'll have plenty of chances. I feel no need whatsoever to squeeze it all in -- I know we'll be back!
Our new FP+ choices are:
1. The Seas
2. Turtle Talk
3. Epcot Character Spot
I don't think we'll really need FPs for the first two, and I don't know if we'll be up for characters, either. But once you get rid of the adults-only rides from the Epcot FP+ list, there isn't really much left!
(For the record, changing FP+s is a bit of a pain. Mostly because it won't let you change more than one thing at a time, meaning you have to continually return to a menu page, and wait for things to load time after time. Plus you have to start with one of their options for the timing, and then change the times one by one. Cumbersome app design, that's for sure.)
Places for Simba to crawl around and let off steam (he's actually starting to cruise along the furniture now, so there's a chance we might be on to assisted walking by then, too):
* Baby care center
* Lobby area of American Adventure (if it's not too busy)
* Imagination pavilion
* Maybe certain areas of Innoventions, if not too busy?
Am I missing any fun things to do in Epcot with a 1-year-old?
I'm officially committing to Epcot for Day 1 (really afternoon 1, by the time we get in and get settled).
So, I want to think through things for Simba in Epcot.
We'll probably spend a lot of time just strolling around the WS, looking in shops and stuff.
He might like:
Also Turtle Talk, which I've never seen. And the aquarium section of The Seas, which I haven't visited in probably decades. And maybe Living with the Land.
Of course, we won't do even nearly all of these things. I know we'll probably be in Epcot a lot, with the BC so close, so we'll have plenty of chances. I feel no need whatsoever to squeeze it all in -- I know we'll be back!
Our new FP+ choices are:
1. The Seas
2. Turtle Talk
3. Epcot Character Spot
I don't think we'll really need FPs for the first two, and I don't know if we'll be up for characters, either. But once you get rid of the adults-only rides from the Epcot FP+ list, there isn't really much left!
(For the record, changing FP+s is a bit of a pain. Mostly because it won't let you change more than one thing at a time, meaning you have to continually return to a menu page, and wait for things to load time after time. Plus you have to start with one of their options for the timing, and then change the times one by one. Cumbersome app design, that's for sure.)
Places for Simba to crawl around and let off steam (he's actually starting to cruise along the furniture now, so there's a chance we might be on to assisted walking by then, too):
* Baby care center
* Lobby area of American Adventure (if it's not too busy)
* Imagination pavilion
* Maybe certain areas of Innoventions, if not too busy?
Am I missing any fun things to do in Epcot with a 1-year-old?
KatMark
DIS Legend
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I think these plans sound great, Nory.
A suggestion if you want to gage his reaction to characters, Pooh and Tigger are in the book store in the United Kingdom.
I think you have probably covered all the probable "crawling" areas; although, maybe if not too crowded, he could crawl by the fish tanks.
A suggestion if you want to gage his reaction to characters, Pooh and Tigger are in the book store in the United Kingdom.
I think you have probably covered all the probable "crawling" areas; although, maybe if not too crowded, he could crawl by the fish tanks.
norybell
DIS Veteran
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My goal for Day 2 is to leave early and head here:
This will depend, to some extent, on how well Simba slept the night before. If he had a bad night, we'll probably just stroll around the Beach Club area in the morning, and then have a nap before heading out. In my experience, after a travel day it's either one extreme or another -- either he'll sleep much better than usual, or he'll wake up a ton. Fingers crossed it's the former!
He usually wakes up around 7:00, so it should be no problem for us to get to the bus pretty early. I'm not quite decided on the best timing. I don't care so much about rope drop, if anything I'd probably prefer to miss the rope drop rush, but Simba usually naps around 9:00 or 9:15...it'd be nice if we were into the park by then, so he can hopefully nap in the carrier or the stroller, and I can enjoy a pleasant morning walk around the park. (It will force me to do what I always kind of want to do -- just stroll around in the relative emptiness! -- when usually I'm too busy racing around to squeeze as many rides in as possible before it gets busy.)
I guess I'll just take our time with breakfast and getting ready, and we'll leave whenever that is. 8:30 at the very latest, probably.
Once Simba wakes up, he might like:
Also Magic Carpets, Under the Sea (he liked this in May), maybe Buzz Lightyear, the Jungle Cruise, TTC, Country Bears...there really is a ton of stuff he might (or might not, who knows) like. We'll probably just stroll around and pop into stuff that has no lines, or that we can FP. (According to Touring Plans, this day is a "1". So I don't anticipate much of a crowd problem!)
Sadly, this will be closed (go figure, the one ride I could actually really use a FP+ for with Simba!):
Our current FP+ selections are:
9:25-10:25 - Meet Cinderella and a visitor (he likes flirting with ladies, and this is something new, so I figured, why not?)
10:35-11:35 - Little Mermaid
11:45-12:45 - Dumbo
One of the many things that makes choosing FP+ kind of difficult is the timing. You have to select these one-hour windows, and they can't overlap, so you really have to think about how much time you'll be spending in a particular area of the park, you know? I'm guessing we won't even use most of our FP+s, just because, being a slow October day, it won't take too long to get through the queues and experience the attractions, so we'll end up with too much downtime in between choices, and we won't want to stick around (either in that land, or in the park itself) late enough to use a FP. Does that make sense? I guess we'll see.
Anyway. Places for Simba to crawl in the MK:
Baby Care Center
The new play area in the Dumbo queue
I can't remember if the play area in the Pooh queue is concrete or not? Or that tiny little playground spot near Splash?
Maybe the waiting area for the Hall of Presidents (which I'm guessing will be practically empty, in the morning of a slow October day)?
Wow, that's really all I can think of. Am I missing anything?
If I get hungry while still at the park we'll probably head here:
My go-to MK QS. Maybe Simba will get to try his first tuna salad or clam chowder. If we go on the early side and take our food upstairs, I bet it would be empty enough for him to crawl around a little.
We have another day set aside for the MK, so we won't stay too long. I'm not sure exactly when Belle will arrive, but probably early afternoon. Plus, it would be great if we could be back to the room for a real nap sometime between 1:00-2:00, unless Simba does a ton of little naps on the go (he doesn't usually, so I'm trying to plan for one real nap in the room each day, if possible).
Post-nap, we'll probably stroll around Epcot, maybe do some F&W booths for an early dinner. Then room service, again, for a later dinner -- doubling up on meals is accepted practice on vacation, right?
I'm sure we'll enjoy a few glasses of wine on our balcony. It sounds so nice, I can't wait! I'm so excited that this day I'm talking about is only one week away!
This will depend, to some extent, on how well Simba slept the night before. If he had a bad night, we'll probably just stroll around the Beach Club area in the morning, and then have a nap before heading out. In my experience, after a travel day it's either one extreme or another -- either he'll sleep much better than usual, or he'll wake up a ton. Fingers crossed it's the former!
He usually wakes up around 7:00, so it should be no problem for us to get to the bus pretty early. I'm not quite decided on the best timing. I don't care so much about rope drop, if anything I'd probably prefer to miss the rope drop rush, but Simba usually naps around 9:00 or 9:15...it'd be nice if we were into the park by then, so he can hopefully nap in the carrier or the stroller, and I can enjoy a pleasant morning walk around the park. (It will force me to do what I always kind of want to do -- just stroll around in the relative emptiness! -- when usually I'm too busy racing around to squeeze as many rides in as possible before it gets busy.)
I guess I'll just take our time with breakfast and getting ready, and we'll leave whenever that is. 8:30 at the very latest, probably.
Once Simba wakes up, he might like:
Also Magic Carpets, Under the Sea (he liked this in May), maybe Buzz Lightyear, the Jungle Cruise, TTC, Country Bears...there really is a ton of stuff he might (or might not, who knows) like. We'll probably just stroll around and pop into stuff that has no lines, or that we can FP. (According to Touring Plans, this day is a "1". So I don't anticipate much of a crowd problem!)
Sadly, this will be closed (go figure, the one ride I could actually really use a FP+ for with Simba!):
Our current FP+ selections are:
9:25-10:25 - Meet Cinderella and a visitor (he likes flirting with ladies, and this is something new, so I figured, why not?)
10:35-11:35 - Little Mermaid
11:45-12:45 - Dumbo
One of the many things that makes choosing FP+ kind of difficult is the timing. You have to select these one-hour windows, and they can't overlap, so you really have to think about how much time you'll be spending in a particular area of the park, you know? I'm guessing we won't even use most of our FP+s, just because, being a slow October day, it won't take too long to get through the queues and experience the attractions, so we'll end up with too much downtime in between choices, and we won't want to stick around (either in that land, or in the park itself) late enough to use a FP. Does that make sense? I guess we'll see.
Anyway. Places for Simba to crawl in the MK:
Baby Care Center
The new play area in the Dumbo queue
I can't remember if the play area in the Pooh queue is concrete or not? Or that tiny little playground spot near Splash?
Maybe the waiting area for the Hall of Presidents (which I'm guessing will be practically empty, in the morning of a slow October day)?
Wow, that's really all I can think of. Am I missing anything?
If I get hungry while still at the park we'll probably head here:
My go-to MK QS. Maybe Simba will get to try his first tuna salad or clam chowder. If we go on the early side and take our food upstairs, I bet it would be empty enough for him to crawl around a little.
We have another day set aside for the MK, so we won't stay too long. I'm not sure exactly when Belle will arrive, but probably early afternoon. Plus, it would be great if we could be back to the room for a real nap sometime between 1:00-2:00, unless Simba does a ton of little naps on the go (he doesn't usually, so I'm trying to plan for one real nap in the room each day, if possible).
Post-nap, we'll probably stroll around Epcot, maybe do some F&W booths for an early dinner. Then room service, again, for a later dinner -- doubling up on meals is accepted practice on vacation, right?
I'm sure we'll enjoy a few glasses of wine on our balcony. It sounds so nice, I can't wait! I'm so excited that this day I'm talking about is only one week away!
norybell
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 10, 2009
- Messages
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One week from today!
We have an early breakfast ADR at Cape May. If Simba has had any bad reactions to characters earlier, of course we'd cancel, but I'm hoping he doesn't, because have I mentioned my passionate love for breakfast buffets?
This photo isn't actually from a breakfast buffet. But it's the only Mickey waffle pic I have!
Speaking of Mickey waffles, yesterday DH and I were at Babies 'r' Us, where we noticed the Mickey waffle makers. Of course, I was like, "I love Mickey waffles!" And DH groaned. He said that from now on, every time he makes waffles, he'll cut mine into Mickey shapes. And then he'll eat all the extra.
(For the record, DH has never made waffles, as far as I know.)
Anyway, back to the trip. After breakfast, Simba might nap in the room, we'll see. Then we're heading back to:
We'll do whatever we didn't get to do yesterday. Belle has yet to ride Little Mermaid, so we'll definitely do that. I'd also like to see Storytime with Belle. I've read mixed reviews, but one has to see all the new stuff, right? Plus, maybe Simba will like it. He does enjoy storytime at the library, anyway.
We have a lunchtime reservation here:
because I've been really craving their fries lately, and also because I want this:
Of course, after one planned meal already in the morning, Simba might have had enough of restaurants for the day, and we might end up just grabbing something quick.
Our FP+ selections are:
1:30 - 2:30 Enchanted Tales
2:30 - 3:30 Little Mermaid
3:30 - 4:30 Space Mountain (I figure Belle & I can switch off)
I spent some time switching around our FP+s last night, and it was a huge pain. I was using my phone. Originally they all started around 11:30, and I wanted to move them a bit later, because I just made the lunch reservation. I think it took me an hour. OK, it was probably 30 minutes, but it felt like an hour. You can only change one FP+ at a time.
This was what I started with: 11:30 Enchanted Tales, 12:30 Little Mermaid, 1:30 Space Mountain. I wanted to move everything back by one hour.
So this was the process:
1. Go into your plans for the day (this actually involves a few steps)
2. Click on that particular FP choice
3. Click on "Change a FP+ selection"
4. Click on the FP you want to change, even though you clicked on it already in step two (I selected Enchanted Tales, which I was trying to change from 11:30 to 12:30)
5. Click on the members of your party you want to be affected by the change
6. Choose whether you want to change the time or the attraction
7. Select from a list of available times. Of course, it doesn't offer you 12:30, what you really wanted. This is because you have another FP slated for 12:30, and you'll have to change that one first. Of course, it could also be because there aren't any more FP+s available for that slot, too -- you have no way of knowing.
8. Realizing that you need to change the others first to open up that slot, cancel this change.
9. - 14. Repeat steps 2-7, for your latest FP (in this case, Space Mountain), moving it from 12:30 to 1:30.
15. Click "Done" to confirm
16. - 21. Repeat steps 2-7 for your middle FP (in this case, Little Mermaid), moving it from 1:30 to 2:30.
22. Click "Done" to confirm.
23. - 27. Repeat steps 2-6 for your first FP (in this case, Enchanted Tales)
28. Realize that the time slot you wanted in the first place, 12:30-1:30, STILL isn't available to you. Maybe they don't offer FP+s for it over lunch. Maybe they're all taken. Who knows. (And if they are all taken already during a testing phase on a slow October day, that REALLY doesn't bode well for how far in advance you'll have to do this stuff once it's available to everybody.)
29. Cancel this FP change.
30. to...50? I've lost count...repeat all the above, moving each ride ahead another hour, so that you finally have Enchanted Tales at 1:30, Little Mermaid at 2:30, and Space Mountain at 3:30. An hour later than you wanted. But at least it's done.
Keep in mind that every single step required a page to load. So I maybe wasn't exaggerating when I said it took a whole hour!
ANYWAY. Back to our plans. I doubt we'll actually stay until 3:30, but I guess we'll see. In the later afternoon, maybe we'll have some pool time, maybe we'll nap, we'll let Simba call the shots. An early dinner at Hurricane Hannah's or Beaches and Cream sounds nice.
After Simba's bedtime, if she's up for it, I'm going to ask Belle if she minds staying in the room and babysitting, so I can head out and see this:
I'm guessing she'll happily agree...fingers crossed! I wouldn't mind a couple hours of solo WDW time!
We have an early breakfast ADR at Cape May. If Simba has had any bad reactions to characters earlier, of course we'd cancel, but I'm hoping he doesn't, because have I mentioned my passionate love for breakfast buffets?
This photo isn't actually from a breakfast buffet. But it's the only Mickey waffle pic I have!
Speaking of Mickey waffles, yesterday DH and I were at Babies 'r' Us, where we noticed the Mickey waffle makers. Of course, I was like, "I love Mickey waffles!" And DH groaned. He said that from now on, every time he makes waffles, he'll cut mine into Mickey shapes. And then he'll eat all the extra.
(For the record, DH has never made waffles, as far as I know.)
Anyway, back to the trip. After breakfast, Simba might nap in the room, we'll see. Then we're heading back to:
We'll do whatever we didn't get to do yesterday. Belle has yet to ride Little Mermaid, so we'll definitely do that. I'd also like to see Storytime with Belle. I've read mixed reviews, but one has to see all the new stuff, right? Plus, maybe Simba will like it. He does enjoy storytime at the library, anyway.
We have a lunchtime reservation here:
because I've been really craving their fries lately, and also because I want this:
Of course, after one planned meal already in the morning, Simba might have had enough of restaurants for the day, and we might end up just grabbing something quick.
Our FP+ selections are:
1:30 - 2:30 Enchanted Tales
2:30 - 3:30 Little Mermaid
3:30 - 4:30 Space Mountain (I figure Belle & I can switch off)
I spent some time switching around our FP+s last night, and it was a huge pain. I was using my phone. Originally they all started around 11:30, and I wanted to move them a bit later, because I just made the lunch reservation. I think it took me an hour. OK, it was probably 30 minutes, but it felt like an hour. You can only change one FP+ at a time.
This was what I started with: 11:30 Enchanted Tales, 12:30 Little Mermaid, 1:30 Space Mountain. I wanted to move everything back by one hour.
So this was the process:
1. Go into your plans for the day (this actually involves a few steps)
2. Click on that particular FP choice
3. Click on "Change a FP+ selection"
4. Click on the FP you want to change, even though you clicked on it already in step two (I selected Enchanted Tales, which I was trying to change from 11:30 to 12:30)
5. Click on the members of your party you want to be affected by the change
6. Choose whether you want to change the time or the attraction
7. Select from a list of available times. Of course, it doesn't offer you 12:30, what you really wanted. This is because you have another FP slated for 12:30, and you'll have to change that one first. Of course, it could also be because there aren't any more FP+s available for that slot, too -- you have no way of knowing.
8. Realizing that you need to change the others first to open up that slot, cancel this change.
9. - 14. Repeat steps 2-7, for your latest FP (in this case, Space Mountain), moving it from 12:30 to 1:30.
15. Click "Done" to confirm
16. - 21. Repeat steps 2-7 for your middle FP (in this case, Little Mermaid), moving it from 1:30 to 2:30.
22. Click "Done" to confirm.
23. - 27. Repeat steps 2-6 for your first FP (in this case, Enchanted Tales)
28. Realize that the time slot you wanted in the first place, 12:30-1:30, STILL isn't available to you. Maybe they don't offer FP+s for it over lunch. Maybe they're all taken. Who knows. (And if they are all taken already during a testing phase on a slow October day, that REALLY doesn't bode well for how far in advance you'll have to do this stuff once it's available to everybody.)
29. Cancel this FP change.
30. to...50? I've lost count...repeat all the above, moving each ride ahead another hour, so that you finally have Enchanted Tales at 1:30, Little Mermaid at 2:30, and Space Mountain at 3:30. An hour later than you wanted. But at least it's done.
Keep in mind that every single step required a page to load. So I maybe wasn't exaggerating when I said it took a whole hour!
ANYWAY. Back to our plans. I doubt we'll actually stay until 3:30, but I guess we'll see. In the later afternoon, maybe we'll have some pool time, maybe we'll nap, we'll let Simba call the shots. An early dinner at Hurricane Hannah's or Beaches and Cream sounds nice.
After Simba's bedtime, if she's up for it, I'm going to ask Belle if she minds staying in the room and babysitting, so I can head out and see this:
I'm guessing she'll happily agree...fingers crossed! I wouldn't mind a couple hours of solo WDW time!
MEK
DIS Legend
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- May 8, 2005
- Messages
- 20,088
That is one cool Illuminations picture! Wow!
So was that Simba on Dumbo? He looks so happy. How cute!
I love LTT and that dessert is one of my favs.
I just did some of my FP plus reservations. My only gripe is if you are in two parks in the same day. Why can't you do say 1 FP in one park and the other two in the next?
Your trip is SO close now. You must be getting so excited.
FWIW - I think a Mickey Waffle maker is an essential kitchen gadget. You definitely need to get right back there and buy one!
So was that Simba on Dumbo? He looks so happy. How cute!
I love LTT and that dessert is one of my favs.
I just did some of my FP plus reservations. My only gripe is if you are in two parks in the same day. Why can't you do say 1 FP in one park and the other two in the next?
Your trip is SO close now. You must be getting so excited.
FWIW - I think a Mickey Waffle maker is an essential kitchen gadget. You definitely need to get right back there and buy one!
norybell
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2009
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- 1,306
Thanks!
Yep, that's my little guy, on his first WDW ride! (with another of my little sisters)
I'm with you. I assume they'll enable some sort of park hopping feature eventually. I also really think they should allow you to get more FP+s throughout the day, if they're available. Like, you can only reserve 3 in advance, but once you're in the park and you've used one or two, you can book another if it's available (of course, there'd be a lot less available at that point -- I figure those day-of FP+s would end up being more like regular FPs, availability-wise). Because what harm would that do? Sure, there might not be any Soarin' FP+s left day-of, but why not allow someone in the park to pick up a Living with the Land FP+ if it's available? Maybe it would be a programming nightmare for the app, I suppose. But it would be nice, kind of like a melding of the old system with the new. Because if FP+ ends up making it so I can get on three rides right away, and then have to stand in longer lines for all the rest, I'll end up only riding 3 rides!I just did some of my FP plus reservations. My only gripe is if you are in two parks in the same day. Why can't you do say 1 FP in one park and the other two in the next?
FWIW - I think a Mickey Waffle maker is an essential kitchen gadget. You definitely need to get right back there and buy one!
I don't think I'll be getting DH back there anytime soon. It's a long-ish walk from our place, so I don't get there often, and I had a lot to stock up on...I had warned him that it wasn't going to be a trip for the faint of heart! Maybe he'll remember and get me a Mickey waffle maker for Christmas. 
KatMark
DIS Legend
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- Aug 5, 2007
- Messages
- 42,443
Nory I got a little behind with the week I've had.
I think all of your plans sound great with how you are planning them and keeping Simba in mind.
I think the floor at Winnie-the-Pooh is concrete except for a certain part of the play area where it might be spongy?
Letting Simba crawl upstairs at Columbia Harbor House is a good idea.
I think all of your plans sound great with how you are planning them and keeping Simba in mind.
I think the floor at Winnie-the-Pooh is concrete except for a certain part of the play area where it might be spongy?
Letting Simba crawl upstairs at Columbia Harbor House is a good idea.
norybell
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 10, 2009
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No morning nap for Simba on Day 4 (Wednesday). We're heading here:
and I hope to arrive near rope drop. I'm excited, because I didn't make it to AK on my past two trips. And I really think it's important to get there early...the paths always feel way too crowded to me in the afternoons, even on slow days.
We'll probably do this:
even though the animals are probably too far away for Simba to notice. And it suddenly occurs to me: Is it safe to have a baby on your lap, considering it can get so bumpy? Hm.
We'll definitely go here:
We'll also go to FOTLK (all my pics of it are terrible, so I'll spare you). I've never been to Rafiki's Planet Watch, maybe we'll give it a try. And we'll walk the trails. Oh! And Triceratops Spin, of course.
Simba's never been to a zoo or anything. I'm hoping he's old enough to be interested in the animals. I guess we'll find out!
We have a lunch ADR at Tusker House, not because I at all feel the need for another character meal, but because I really like the food there. We'll see how Simba did with meals the day before, and we might just end up at Pizzafari or something.
Our current FP+s are in the morning for:
Safari
Everest
FOTLK
Places for Simba to crawl around:
Baby Care Center (I've heard it's really big and great)
Maybe one of the back rooms at Pizzafari, if we're there at a slow time?
Sand area in the Boneyard
That's really all I can think of. It occurs to me that maybe I should bring a really lightweight pair of pants for him, that way he can crawl on concrete if necessary. Uncomfortable, but at least he wouldn't get skinned knees!
I doubt we'll stay in the park too long. It'd be great if we were back at the resort in time for Simba's afternoon nap. We'll see.
After that, another play-it-by-ear afternoon...maybe pool time, maybe Epcot, maybe F&W for dinner, maybe Beaches & Cream, maybe room service. It's our last night, so we'll really just see how we're feeling and go from there.
and I hope to arrive near rope drop. I'm excited, because I didn't make it to AK on my past two trips. And I really think it's important to get there early...the paths always feel way too crowded to me in the afternoons, even on slow days.
We'll probably do this:
even though the animals are probably too far away for Simba to notice. And it suddenly occurs to me: Is it safe to have a baby on your lap, considering it can get so bumpy? Hm.
We'll definitely go here:
We'll also go to FOTLK (all my pics of it are terrible, so I'll spare you). I've never been to Rafiki's Planet Watch, maybe we'll give it a try. And we'll walk the trails. Oh! And Triceratops Spin, of course.
Simba's never been to a zoo or anything. I'm hoping he's old enough to be interested in the animals. I guess we'll find out!
We have a lunch ADR at Tusker House, not because I at all feel the need for another character meal, but because I really like the food there. We'll see how Simba did with meals the day before, and we might just end up at Pizzafari or something.
Our current FP+s are in the morning for:
Safari
Everest
FOTLK
Places for Simba to crawl around:
Baby Care Center (I've heard it's really big and great)
Maybe one of the back rooms at Pizzafari, if we're there at a slow time?
Sand area in the Boneyard
That's really all I can think of. It occurs to me that maybe I should bring a really lightweight pair of pants for him, that way he can crawl on concrete if necessary. Uncomfortable, but at least he wouldn't get skinned knees!
I doubt we'll stay in the park too long. It'd be great if we were back at the resort in time for Simba's afternoon nap. We'll see.
After that, another play-it-by-ear afternoon...maybe pool time, maybe Epcot, maybe F&W for dinner, maybe Beaches & Cream, maybe room service. It's our last night, so we'll really just see how we're feeling and go from there.
MEK
DIS Legend
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- May 8, 2005
- Messages
- 20,088
Good FP pics!
I once saw an infant on Safari, so it can be done. Although I suspect it might be harder to hold a bigger baby because there';s more mass to control. I didn't mean to sound like a physics professor. Let's just say you won't be taking any safari pictures.
I think your AK morning looks great!
I once saw an infant on Safari, so it can be done. Although I suspect it might be harder to hold a bigger baby because there';s more mass to control.
I didn't mean to sound like a physics professor. Let's just say you won't be taking any safari pictures. I think your AK morning looks great!
norybell
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 10, 2009
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- 1,306
Unfortunately, on Day 5, we have to leave! Our flight is around 1:30, so I assume our Magical Express will leave around 10:00. I'm not crazy enough to plan anything for the morning. We'll just hang out in the room, probably. Hopefully Simba will get a morning nap in before we go.
One thing you may have noticed is missing from our plans:
Is it possible that we won't make it to HS, even though we could walk there? I'm really not sure. Maybe one of our afternoons we'll head over for this:
though once he's on the floor, Simba's not going to be happy unless he's mobile, so the whole sitting-on-the-floor-for-the-show thing might be a bust unless it really, really keeps his attention.
The Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground will be closed while we're there, so that's out.
He's too little for 3D glasses.
So I'm not really sure what else Simba would enjoy at HS. Of course, I really wouldn't mind a fall down a certain haunted elevator. So we'll see, maybe we'll squeeze it in.
Anyway, that's it for our trip! I can't believe we leave in only three days! Simba and I both just had colds, which, thank goodness, look like they'll be completely gone before we leave (I'm knocking on wood right now).
I haven't flown alone with him since he's been mobile, so I've spent the last week amassing a collection of small distractions -- stickers, teething rings, little toys, etc. -- that I plan to wrap up and continuously hand over when he gets fussy. Fingers crossed that works...or even that I get super lucky, and he sleeps on the plane! (So I can sleep, too!)
I may or may not do a TR for this trip, it'll depend on whether or not I can take enough photos...not a guarantee when you're holding a baby the whole time. But either way, I'm thinking of doing a TR where I post only the out-of-the-ordinary highlights (and the best photos) from the 9 trips I took in between my October 2010 one (TR in progress) and this one. I just have to finish that other TR first! Guess I'll head over there and post an update now...
Thanks for reading along!
One thing you may have noticed is missing from our plans:
Is it possible that we won't make it to HS, even though we could walk there? I'm really not sure. Maybe one of our afternoons we'll head over for this:
though once he's on the floor, Simba's not going to be happy unless he's mobile, so the whole sitting-on-the-floor-for-the-show thing might be a bust unless it really, really keeps his attention.
The Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground will be closed while we're there, so that's out.
He's too little for 3D glasses.
So I'm not really sure what else Simba would enjoy at HS. Of course, I really wouldn't mind a fall down a certain haunted elevator. So we'll see, maybe we'll squeeze it in.
Anyway, that's it for our trip! I can't believe we leave in only three days! Simba and I both just had colds, which, thank goodness, look like they'll be completely gone before we leave (I'm knocking on wood right now).
I haven't flown alone with him since he's been mobile, so I've spent the last week amassing a collection of small distractions -- stickers, teething rings, little toys, etc. -- that I plan to wrap up and continuously hand over when he gets fussy. Fingers crossed that works...or even that I get super lucky, and he sleeps on the plane! (So I can sleep, too!)
I may or may not do a TR for this trip, it'll depend on whether or not I can take enough photos...not a guarantee when you're holding a baby the whole time. But either way, I'm thinking of doing a TR where I post only the out-of-the-ordinary highlights (and the best photos) from the 9 trips I took in between my October 2010 one (TR in progress) and this one. I just have to finish that other TR first! Guess I'll head over there and post an update now...
Thanks for reading along!
KatMark
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2007
- Messages
- 42,443
Nory, the AK plans sound great. Personally, as much as I LOVE TOT (it's my favorite ride), I think your skipping it this trip is probably a very good idea. I just can't see much that Simba would enjoy there at all. If I don't get back here before you leave, have a magical trip.
norybell
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,306
We're back!
Our trip had lots of magical moments -- Simba enraptured by IASW, laughing hysterically on the flying carpets, rapping Donald's beak, playing in the sand at Stormalong Bay. And, of course, it had some less-than-magical moments, mostly involving the heat and a problematic sleep schedule. Overall, though, it was great, if also exhausting.
I probably won't do a TR...as I suspected, I didn't get the chance for many pictures, but I'll roll it into a TR covering my last 10 trips. As soon as I finish that pesky one from 3 years ago.
One thing I did want to comment on, though: Fastpass Plus. I hated it.
I hated having to spend so much time in the parks staring at my phone (I stare at my phone too much in my day-to-day life as it is...I like getting away from that while at WDW!). It really took me away from the Disney vibe. And while it should have been simple to make changes on the fly, it wasn't at all, at least not while also dealing with a squirmy toddler. And not when you're getting error messages and pages aren't loading (which happened about 50% of the time). It made the days feel much more rigid to me.
Granted, I've ridden Soarin' enough times to not care if I miss it (or anything) on any given trip...I'd rather have a relaxed day at the park than be guaranteed a ride on something. Most visitors probably don't feel that way. So it'll probably be great for other people (if they increase their bandwidth somehow, and make the app more efficient, that is).
The other problem it caused (I think) was with the CMs. Of course, there are always a few surly CMs on any given visit, but I've always found most of them to be so nice and helpful. Not on this trip. I wouldn't go so far as to call most of the CMs outright rude (though two were, definitely), just...unfriendly. I'd say about 80% of the ride CMs we encountered looked like they were about to growl at us. Or at least roll their eyes. There were very few smiles. It was a bummer. I'm sure transitioning to MagicBands makes their jobs more stressful, but even so...
Now that I've bummed you all out, I'll end with something positive: MagicBands are awesome! It's really nice to not have to get out a card for anything. And it was nice to hear a CM say, "Right this way, Nory," or whatever (now, if only they'd said it with a smile...). I can't imagine the thrill a kid might get from hearing a princess greet them by name.
Anyway, back to finishing up my TR and getting caught up on all of yours! Thanks for reading along!
Our trip had lots of magical moments -- Simba enraptured by IASW, laughing hysterically on the flying carpets, rapping Donald's beak, playing in the sand at Stormalong Bay. And, of course, it had some less-than-magical moments, mostly involving the heat and a problematic sleep schedule. Overall, though, it was great, if also exhausting.
I probably won't do a TR...as I suspected, I didn't get the chance for many pictures, but I'll roll it into a TR covering my last 10 trips. As soon as I finish that pesky one from 3 years ago.
One thing I did want to comment on, though: Fastpass Plus. I hated it.
I hated having to spend so much time in the parks staring at my phone (I stare at my phone too much in my day-to-day life as it is...I like getting away from that while at WDW!). It really took me away from the Disney vibe. And while it should have been simple to make changes on the fly, it wasn't at all, at least not while also dealing with a squirmy toddler. And not when you're getting error messages and pages aren't loading (which happened about 50% of the time). It made the days feel much more rigid to me.Granted, I've ridden Soarin' enough times to not care if I miss it (or anything) on any given trip...I'd rather have a relaxed day at the park than be guaranteed a ride on something. Most visitors probably don't feel that way. So it'll probably be great for other people (if they increase their bandwidth somehow, and make the app more efficient, that is).
The other problem it caused (I think) was with the CMs. Of course, there are always a few surly CMs on any given visit, but I've always found most of them to be so nice and helpful. Not on this trip. I wouldn't go so far as to call most of the CMs outright rude (though two were, definitely), just...unfriendly. I'd say about 80% of the ride CMs we encountered looked like they were about to growl at us. Or at least roll their eyes. There were very few smiles. It was a bummer. I'm sure transitioning to MagicBands makes their jobs more stressful, but even so...
Now that I've bummed you all out, I'll end with something positive: MagicBands are awesome! It's really nice to not have to get out a card for anything. And it was nice to hear a CM say, "Right this way, Nory," or whatever (now, if only they'd said it with a smile...). I can't imagine the thrill a kid might get from hearing a princess greet them by name.
Anyway, back to finishing up my TR and getting caught up on all of yours! Thanks for reading along!
norybell
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,306
I'm holding out hope that Disney will make it better before rolling it out completely. But not holding my breath.
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New Star Wars x Loungefly Mandalorian Grogu Accessories
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Would You Want Tiered Holiday Party Nights at Disney World?
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Two New Nostalgic Keepsakes for Disneyland Die-Hards
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Disneyland to Reopen Sales of Select Magic Key Passes Aug. 26
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New Haunted Mansion Victor Geist's Spectral Sipper at Disneyland
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Disneyland Resort 2026 Vacations Go On Sale August 20
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First Look Inside Jock Lindsey's Halloween Bar in Disney Springs
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