*****Official February 2015 Thread! Come check in and chat!*****

[ClaraOswald]

I couldn't do DL without our soft structured carrier. We did it when middle DS was 6mo and again at 17mo and it was so convenient for taking him in lines and on rides! I plan on using it again because youngest kid will have just turned 2. It's awesome for the not great walkers. Ergo and Boba are 2 of the bigger names but I also have a Kinderpack that is amazing

We have an Ergo but our son never really took to it. When he was very, very small we used it a handful of times but that was it. We also had a Moby wrap but I hated that thing...haha! I actually can't imagine a child as large as my son in an Ergo though.

I suspect if we have a 2nd child, I will use the Ergo more with him/her. But with our son, I had the luxury of just lounging on the couch or recliner with him all day.

 

[Aladora]

I was really trying to avoid posting a message like this because quite frankly, I am not a moderator on this forum and I don't really want to be. I've moderated enough forum and sites to not want to have to deal with that here.

I think it is very obvious why this thread has almost 1100 posts and is the thread with the 6th highest number of replies, after threads like the Holiday Superthread, the Disneyland Dining Reviews, the Grand Californian Super thread, the Hallowe'en Superthread and the World of Color Superthread. This thread has so many posts because there are a handful of us here who love to chat and who feel very strongly one way or another about how we feel about our upcoming vacation.

I don't want people to flounce off and never post here again but at the same time, I don't want anyone to feel as though they are not welcome to say how they feel. Having said that, I think there are a few things that have been said enough and I don't know if they need to be rehashed over and over and over.

Yes, there are a number of closures coming up in February. Whether we were aware of it at the time we booked our trip or not, the 60th anniversary celebrations which start in mid May are going to have an effect on our experience next month. I don't think anyone can argue that this fact sucks. But, at the same time, some of us care a lot about the closures and some of us have a more glass half full attitude.

Posting about how terrible the closures are puts a damper on all the fun planning we all want to chat about and telling us that if we are not calling Disneyland and demanding that they do something about it, well then we are all fools is quite frankly insulting.

At the same time, there are any number of us here who cannot just change plans and go another time and for some, this is a once in a lifetime trip so for those people there is more on the line for this trip and more to be disappointed about which makes the "it's not so bad!" even more frustrating to read.

But, those facts and comments and points of view have been posted and talked about and vented about and debated and argued about in this thread enough for now, at least in my humble opinion.

This thread, which was supposed to be a fun, lighthearted, enjoyable place to come and post and share tips, hints, plans and ask questions has morphed into somewhere that people are angry and hurt after they read and I don't really like that all too much.

Can we please all just agree to disagree and move on?

 

[Aladora]

Is the wifi free, do you know?

Yes, the wifi at the Desert Inn and Suites is free. They do add on a parking fee but if you do not have a car, just ask when you arrive and they will take it off your bill.

 

[PoohBearFriends]

Aladora: Thank You very much!!!!

 

[MadameRebecca]

Our son has some swallowing issues but he's getting better with "adult" food (cut into tiny pieces, of course.) So I think we are going to try to find things he can eat at the restaurants in the parks. Though I am annoyed that the few "toddler meals" I've seen are just mac and cheese and applesauce. He likes that...but not for every meal. And then all of the kids meals come with carrots and apple slices...which he cannot handle yet. So I feel I may be eating the carrots and apples while he gets the "main" part of the kids meal and then whatever he can eat off of mine or my husband's plates. What are you planning to do about food for your little one?

I'm annoyed too at the toddler options. I was surprised that nearly every location is Mac and cheese. We'll be there for over a week and she can't eat that twice a day, every day. I think I'll bring pre-packaged food from Australia (snacks mostly) and we'll make do with what's on offer in the parks. I guess there's mashed potatoes, plain pretzels, bread, fresh fruit.

Does anyone have toddler food advice?

 

[Aladora]

I'm annoyed too at the toddler options. I was surprised that nearly every location is Mac and cheese. We'll be there for over a week and she can't eat that twice a day, every day. I think I'll bring pre-packaged food from Australia (snacks mostly) and we'll make do with what's on offer in the parks. I guess there's mashed potatoes, plain pretzels, bread, fresh fruit.

Does anyone have toddler food advice?

Can she eat rice? At the French Market in NOS, they have a chicken breast and rice meal that my son enjoys. Maybe just shred the chicken up and let her go to town on the rice?

OH! One thing that I JUST remembered about DL and small kids...their choice of small cutlery for the little ones is non-existant! The forks are all HUGE and we had to use a coffee spoon when DS was little and he wanted to have the above noted ride dish. If this is going to be an issue, I would bring some plastic toddler sized cutlery!

 

[ClaraOswald]

I was really trying to avoid posting a message like this because quite frankly, I am not a moderator on this forum and I don't really want to be. I've moderated enough forum and sites to not want to have to deal with that here.

I think it is very obvious why this thread has almost 1100 posts and is the thread with the 6th highest number of replies, after threads like the Holiday Superthread, the Disneyland Dining Reviews, the Grand Californian Super thread, the Hallowe'en Superthread and the World of Color Superthread. This thread has so many posts because there are a handful of us here who love to chat and who feel very strongly one way or another about how we feel about our upcoming vacation.

I don't want people to flounce off and never post here again but at the same time, I don't want anyone to feel as though they are not welcome to say how they feel. Having said that, I think there are a few things that have been said enough and I don't know if they need to be rehashed over and over and over.

Yes, there are a number of closures coming up in February. Whether we were aware of it at the time we booked our trip or not, the 60th anniversary celebrations which start in mid May are going to have an effect on our experience next month. I don't think anyone can argue that this fact sucks. But, at the same time, some of us care a lot about the closures and some of us have a more glass half full attitude.

Posting about how terrible the closures are puts a damper on all the fun planning we all want to chat about and telling us that if we are not calling Disneyland and demanding that they do something about it, well then we are all fools is quite frankly insulting.

At the same time, there are any number of us here who cannot just change plans and go another time and for some, this is a once in a lifetime trip so for those people there is more on the line for this trip and more to be disappointed about which makes the "it's not so bad!" even more frustrating to read.

But, those facts and comments and points of view have been posted and talked about and vented about and debated and argued about in this thread enough for now, at least in my humble opinion.

This thread, which was supposed to be a fun, lighthearted, enjoyable place to come and post and share tips, hints, plans and ask questions has morphed into somewhere that people are angry and hurt after they read and I don't really like that all too much.

Can we please all just agree to disagree and move on?

The part I put in bold, I don't recall seeing that. I must have missed it since I'm often just checking posts throughout the day when my little one gives me a spare second. So I think I must miss a lot.

I'm annoyed too at the toddler options. I was surprised that nearly every location is Mac and cheese. We'll be there for over a week and she can't eat that twice a day, every day. I think I'll bring pre-packaged food from Australia (snacks mostly) and we'll make do with what's on offer in the parks. I guess there's mashed potatoes, plain pretzels, bread, fresh fruit.

Does anyone have toddler food advice?

I recall seeing some food places with some options besides mac and cheese. One off the top of my head was the mexican place - Rancho del Zocalo. I actually plan to go through some menus and write down the places that have some better options. Once I do it, I'll type it up and put it in my pre-trip report if you're interested. Allears.net is where I like to look at menus if you're ever bored.

Can she eat rice? At the French Market in NOS, they have a chicken breast and rice meal that my son enjoys. Maybe just shred the chicken up and let her go to town on the rice?

OH! One thing that I JUST remembered about DL and small kids...their choice of small cutlery for the little ones is non-existant! The forks are all HUGE and we had to use a coffee spoon when DS was little and he wanted to have the above noted ride dish. If this is going to be an issue, I would bring some plastic toddler sized cutlery!

I think I am going to buy Take n Toss brand spoons and stuff at Target to bring into the parks. I am also buying dish soap since they have to be washed first. But then I can throw them away after because they are pretty cheap. He mostly just eats with his hands. He doesn't really "get" silverware yet. But we may need it to feed him things like applesauce.

 

[MadameRebecca]

Can she eat rice? At the French Market in NOS, they have a chicken breast and rice meal that my son enjoys. Maybe just shred the chicken up and let her go to town on the rice? OH! One thing that I JUST remembered about DL and small kids...their choice of small cutlery for the little ones is non-existant! The forks are all HUGE and we had to use a coffee spoon when DS was little and he wanted to have the above noted ride dish. If this is going to be an issue, I would bring some plastic toddler sized cutlery!

GREAT TIP!! I would never have thought of cutlery. Thanks! She does like rice so I'll add that to my list of toddler friendly foods.

 

[StyledSugar]

Here's some good info about upcoming stuff - http://micechat.com/91544-disneyland-diamond-anniversary/ I am glad they are retheming Condor Flats. That area was also so "blah." I will be sad if Toon Town is demolished in favor of Star Wars though.

They will probably still have the 60th stuff going on in November. I know that the 50th stuff lasted a long time. Even into 2006.

I can confirm that the 50th celebrations did indeed last until a least February 2006 because we were there during Presidents Day weekend and following week. Not sure how much longer after that though.

 

[MadameRebecca]

I recall seeing some food places with some options besides mac and cheese. One off the top of my head was the mexican place - Rancho del Zocalo. I actually plan to go through some menus and write down the places that have some better options. Once I do it, I'll type it up and put it in my pre-trip report if you're interested. Allears.net is where I like to look at menus if you're ever bored. I think I am going to buy Take n Toss brand spoons and stuff at Target to bring into the parks. I am also buying dish soap since they have to be washed first. But then I can throw them away after because they are pretty cheap.

I do like Allears.net for the menus. It also makes me realise there's not enough days in my trip to eat everything I want to try myself!!! I'd appreciate the food list, thanks!

I'll have to research spoons etc. Products are always so much more accessible in the States! Hence my need for retail therapy on my trip.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I do like Allears.net for the menus. It also makes me realise there's not enough days in my trip to eat everything I want to try myself!!! I'd appreciate the food list, thanks!

I'll have to research spoons etc. Products are always so much more accessible in the States! Hence my need for retail therapy on my trip.

Will you have a car or anything? We're going to Target when we arrive since we'll have a rental car. That way I can just buy a bunch of diapers and stuff instead of packing them.

These are the Take & Toss things - http://thefirstyears.com/feeding/brand/take-toss

Like I said, they do need to be washed. But they are cheap enough that I don't feel too awful throwing them out. Though I will say...the lids pop off the sippy cups easily if dropped.

One of these days during nap time I am going to make up a list of the places we want to eat at and list what we'll most likely order. I'll let you know once it's up. Could be a while knowing me though. Haha!

 

[MadameRebecca]

Will you have a car or anything? We're going to Target when we arrive since we'll have a rental car. That way I can just buy a bunch of diapers and stuff instead of packing them. These are the Take & Toss things - http://thefirstyears.com/feeding/brand/take-toss Like I said, they do need to be washed. But they are cheap enough that I don't feel too awful throwing them out. Though I will say...the lids pop off the sippy cups easily if dropped. One of these days during nap time I am going to make up a list of the places we want to eat at and list what we'll most likely order. I'll let you know once it's up. Could be a while knowing me though. Haha!

Thanks for that. I know how it is with a little one! She's sleeping right now We won't have a car. I'm not game enough to drive there. You guys drive on the 'wrong' side of the road LOL. I'm packing nappies, wipes, disposable bibs, placemats etc as the majority of those things won't be in our luggage when we leave.

 

[tygersclaw]

Is there any place at DLP or close by where one can order just plain spaghetti?? For my DD, that is her #1 fav dining out option.

I plan to bring some snack bars in our checked luggage (cereal bars that I know she likes) so she can snack on those, but, if I find I cannot do so, is there a Wal-Mart close by where one can get certain items such as water, snacks etc??

btw...I was not meaning to upset anyone with my 2nd last post, but, all the negativity about the closures and the pages and pages about the closures and no other info overall about what will be happening at DLP kinda set me off.

If I offended anyone, let me know and I will move on from the site with my apologies. From now on I will keep personal opinions/thoughts to myself.

Apologies again.

 

[Aladora]

Thanks for that. I know how it is with a little one! She's sleeping right now We won't have a car. I'm not game enough to drive there. You guys drive on the 'wrong' side of the road LOL. I'm packing nappies, wipes, disposable bibs, placemats etc as the majority of those things won't be in our luggage when we leave.

Depending on how you are getting from the airport to the hotel, you might be able to make a stop to buy some things. I know that at least one of the town car companies includes 1 stop at a grocery store on the way to the hotel. That might be a way to get everything you need without having to drag it all in your luggage.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Thanks for that. I know how it is with a little one! She's sleeping right now We won't have a car. I'm not game enough to drive there. You guys drive on the 'wrong' side of the road LOL. I'm packing nappies, wipes, disposable bibs, placemats etc as the majority of those things won't be in our luggage when we leave.

I'm awful with time zones. What time is it for you right now? It's 11:08pm here in the central U.S. We're only 2 hours "ahead" of California so I'm hoping it doesn't mess our son up too much.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Is there any place at DLP or close by where one can order just plain spaghetti?? For my DD, that is her #1 fav dining out option.

I plan to bring some snack bars in our checked luggage (cereal bars that I know she likes) so she can snack on those, but, if I find I cannot do so, is there a Wal-Mart close by where one can get certain items such as water, snacks etc??

btw...I was not meaning to upset anyone with my 2nd last post, but, all the negativity about the closures and the pages and pages about the closures and no other info overall about what will be happening at DLP kinda set me off.

If I offended anyone, let me know and I will move on from the site with my apologies. From now on I will keep personal opinions/thoughts to myself.

Apologies again.

You don't need to apologize or leave. We all are entitled to our opinions.

As far as plain spaghetti...do you mean literally plain noodles? Or just regular spaghetti with marinara sauce? I imagine if you want plain noodles you could request them at any place that has pasta. As far as pasta with sauce...Pizza Port in Tomorrowland has pasta options. Outside of the park within walking distance there is a Denny's that has pasta.

The website allears.net lists all the in-park menus as well as Downtown Disney menus so that might help you out too.

 

[Aladora]

Is there any place at DLP or close by where one can order just plain spaghetti?? For my DD, that is her #1 fav dining out option.

I plan to bring some snack bars in our checked luggage (cereal bars that I know she likes) so she can snack on those, but, if I find I cannot do so, is there a Wal-Mart close by where one can get certain items such as water, snacks etc??

There is a place in Downtown Disney where she should be able to get spaghetti! Here is a link to their menu: Naples Ristorante

For snacks, you can get almost anything delivered by Von's, which is owned by Safeway, I think I even used my Canadian Safeway card number when I signed up. Other than that, depending on what hotel you are at, you are likely looking at a taxi ride to get to Wal-Mart or Target. Our trip in March ended with our son getting sick on the last night and throwing up on his loast clean outfit in the morning which lead to me taking a taxi to the closest Wal-mart. (or maybe Target, it was a crazy morning!) I think it was around $20, so not too close.

Edited to add: the closest Target that I can find is 12100 Harbor Blvd, the closet hotels neat the Disneyland entrance are around 1600 S. Harbor Blvd to give you an idea of distance. The nearest Wal-Mart I can find is further.

 

[MadameRebecca]

I'm awful with time zones. What time is it for you right now? It's 11:08pm here in the central U.S. We're only 2 hours "ahead" of California so I'm hoping it doesn't mess our son up too much.

It's now 4:20 in the afternoon here in Sydney, Australia. I'm not looking forward to toddler jet lag!

 

[Aladora]

For something totally off topic...

tygersclaw, every time I read your screen name, I have that poem by William Blake running through my head!

I'm not sure if that is where you got your screen name from but that is all I can think of!

 

[StyledSugar]

Edited to add: the closest Target that I can find is 12100 Harbor Blvd, the closet hotels neat the Disneyland entrance are around 1600 S. Harbor Blvd to give you an idea of distance. The nearest Wal-Mart I can find is further.

We've been to that Target and it's a ways away. It's right across from Joe's Crab Shack (excellent place!!!) and we walk across the street to Target after dinner when we go. I wouldn't recommend walking but the cab ride is fairly cheap. I think it's about $10.