Sleeping~Beauty
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2005
- Messages
- 839
We just got back from Disney yesterday. We were there from 10/16 through 10/23. In our group was my DH and two children Ds 2.5 and DS 15mths, also my MIL, and then my husband's sister, BIL, and three children ages 7,5 and 15 mths.
Just a tidbit about the perspective of our trip:
I researched this trip a lot. I read The Unofficial Guide, frequented the boards here, and checked various websites for information on making this trip enjoyable and manageable for my children. I packed thoroughly, and had a really good idea about what each theme park was about and what type rides would be more appropriate for my little ones. The trip I had in mind was for my children, so I planned around that. Included in the trip report are tips I found helpful for myself:
10/15
We flew in to Orlando, and stayed at my uncle and aunt's house nearby. The time share my MIL had for us would be ready Sunday at 4pm, and they were flying in also but staying elsewhere for that night.
We had everything for the airplane set, things for the kids to do, bottle and diaper bag, outfits for the next morning (so not to dig through the suitcases). We had a car rental set, and directions and phone numbers for my uncle's house. We were there in no time.
It was a great way to relax, unwind, and get some more perspective on the parks from a local point of view. We got a good night's sleep when we headed out to meet the rest of the gang on Sunday morning.
The rest of the gang didn't fare so well with their hotel, and flight. They were given the wrong directions to get there at 1 am.
October 16th:
We met up at Epcot in the early afternoon. The park was really empty. We were able to enjoy a few rides, and then we headed for Italy to enjoy a nice sit down meal. Shane was part of the street show. We headed back to the hotel after that to unpack our things. We had three separate units, one for MIL, one for SIL's family, and one for us. Then DMIL, DSIL and I went food shopping for some basics while DH and DBIL went to the pool with the kids. We went to bed early.
October 17th:
We headed to the parks for the opening. Our group split because I had planned on rides for the little ones, where my niece and nephew were able to get on the more thrilling rides. We were able to go on many rides in Fantasyland with only a wait for Dumbo. We had little to no wait for the tea cups, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear, and Magic Carpets .
We fastpassed WtP for the afternoon, and then met up with SIL and kids for lunch at Cinderella's Castle. It was wonderful to cool off, and the food was delicious. The dining meant so much to me because it was like a dream come true! We took pictures with the princesses and had an amazing time.
After lunch, we split up again and we did our WtP fastpass, then headed for the Pooh's playground and sprayground. My children loved this. We spent a very long time here. They were so happy and I got adorable pics! I had swim shoes, swim diaper, and change of clothes, so they were completely comfortable.
My friend came and met up with us. We rode a few rides with them, and then she surprised us with a character meal at Crystal Palace. My children were thrilled to see Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore, and loved marching in the parade.
We met up with the rest of our group and headed back home together. It was way longer than we had planned to be at the park, but the day was balanced enough between meals, the play/sprayground, and the children taking naps.
I found that Dillon (15 mths) loved all the rides we went on. Shane loved the rides, but did not like the dark theatre. My DH took him out of Mickey's Philharmagic before it even started.
Also, both children were very afraid of fireworks. The fireworks were going off as wewere on the tram and the children really did not like them,
October 18th
We headed for MGM late in the morning to give the kids a chance to just rest. The park was not that crowded at all. We went to see Little Mermaid, Dillon loved it, but it was confirmed here that Shane didn't like the dark theatres. So we took him out right away. The group had to split up because of this. We knew that a lot of MGM would be shows, but I knew that there was a playground that the kids would love. We headed for the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playset. It was a hit.
After that we ate lunch at Pizza Planet, Shane and Dillon loved the arcade as did the bigger kids.
For the rest of the day, my MIL said she'd stay with us. The kids had fallen asleep in the carriage so my DH and I were able to ride on ToT and RockNRoll Roller Coaster with no wait.
When the kids woke up, we decided to head home. My MiL was really tired, and the kids were wiped still. The rest of the gang stayed the entire day to watch Fantasmic, but that would have been way to long for my children, and also they would have been afraid and uncomfortable of the fireworks.
The late afternoon we went to the pool, and we went up to my MIL's room with the children so they could have some quiet quality time with their Nana.
October 19th
Early day because we had seating at the Crystal Palace at 8:05 am. The whole gang had a delicious breakfast with Pooh and friends. We met all the characters and had a really nice time. After breakfast we split up because the rides we were heading for were different. It was fantastic because we just hopped on the rides in Fantasyland, it was empty. We went right onto Winnie the Pooh two times in a row, we also hopped right onto Tea Cups, Peter Pan, and this time we did It's a Small World. The kids loved that. We also did Magic Carpets again, twice in a row and Buzz Lightyear two times. The children just loved these rides. And we were able to have no crowds, and just enjoy them.
We ate lunch outside of Cosmic Ray's. After we changed the kids into water diaper, swimsuit, and swim shoes, and they had a ball at the play/spray ground again. I took my niece who is Dillon's age with us. I kept asking to keep her with us since she would do the same things my children did.
Later, my SIL met up with us with the older kids and we enjoyed the time. While the kids were there, my BIL offered to watch them, and DH and I enjoyed Snow White's ride, which was close by (and would have terrified the little ones) and caught the Mickey's Philharmagic again. At one point we were outside the Haunted Mansion, and the sign said 0 minutes for the wait. We all looked at each other, and just went on!
After this we packed up to head back and called it a day for our group.
Our kids fell asleep very early, and my MIL wanted DH and I to have time for ourselves since we were always with the little ones doing more "baby" things. So we headed for Pleasure Island and caught the act at the Comedy Club and the Adventure's club.
October 20
Tonight would be the MNSSHP, so we really wanted to take it easy during the day.
We had a seating at the Liberty Tree Tavern for 4:00, so we headed out about a little before three to give us time to get there, take the tram, and then the monorail.
We had a wonderful dinner and dessert. The kids got to see so many characters, Chip and Dale, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. And they were dressed for the party.
We then went to get our wristbands and goody bags. While we did this, the Cinderella show was starting. Many people were leaving the park for the day, and we were able to get a great place and enjoy the show.
Then we headed for the Baby Center to put on our costumes. My boys were both Peter Pan, it's a simple and light costume. My heart just melted!
We headed out and saw there was no line for a family photo so we took it right away. (Which was really good because everyone was fresh, and soon we'd change all the kids into shorts).
After that Shane fell asleep. My SIL took the older kids trick or treating, my BIL offered to take the kids so DH and I could ride some grown up rides. We walked onto Splash Mountain. We couldn't believe it, no one was there. It was an amazing ride. Then we walked on Thunder Mountain Railroad twice in a row! We also went over to Space Mountain.
We headed to Fantasyland and went on the kids favorite rides again. We just completed this when it started to get really crowded in the area.
When the parade started we headed away because the noise frightened the kids.
My kids fell asleep after this, and my husband and I went on a few more rides. We were very lucky because we were just walking on.
Later we got some ice cream for the kids, and headed out about 11
opm
October 21
We had the kids sleep in. Then the entire gang went to MGM again. They really wanted to go, and we thought that we'd try the Beauty and the Beast show this time, and the playground again. As soon as we got there, Shane fell asleep. And Dillon and Tara (same age) played together. My MiL stayed with the kids and we all went on ToT twice in a row, and Rock and Roll Roller Coaster 3x in a row.
Then we took turns, one of us sitting out, because the three babies fell asleep, as the others walked on different attractions.
It was the only day it rained. And it was later in the day. So after a lunch in an empty restaurant, (I can't remember the name), we headed back.
That late afternoon, Shane wasn't feeling well, he had a fever, and he napped the rest of the day.
My DH and SIL had planned a dinner at the Polynesian Luau for my MIL's bday, it was where she expressed interest in. But they got reservations for a late sitting. So everyone went, and I stayed home with Shane so he could rest up.
October 22
First thing in the morning, we called my cousin's pediatrician who recommended where to go. We found Shane had a little fluid in his ears and the start of a sore throat. So we picked up his prescription, and we took the kids to my uncle and aunt's house where he was very comfortable. Later in the day, we strolled around Downtown Disney, did some shopping, but then it really started to rain. So we headed back early. We arranged our flight for the earliest time the next day to get home before the storms and to get Shane home in his own bed.
October 23
We were out of the place by 5:30 am, on the airplane and home by 10:30. It was a good flight, Dillon slept and Shane was feeling much better.
We were home.
We had a wonderful time, and we are already looking to go to Disney as soon as we can. Maybe tomorrow.
Just a tidbit about the perspective of our trip:
I researched this trip a lot. I read The Unofficial Guide, frequented the boards here, and checked various websites for information on making this trip enjoyable and manageable for my children. I packed thoroughly, and had a really good idea about what each theme park was about and what type rides would be more appropriate for my little ones. The trip I had in mind was for my children, so I planned around that. Included in the trip report are tips I found helpful for myself:
10/15
We flew in to Orlando, and stayed at my uncle and aunt's house nearby. The time share my MIL had for us would be ready Sunday at 4pm, and they were flying in also but staying elsewhere for that night.
We had everything for the airplane set, things for the kids to do, bottle and diaper bag, outfits for the next morning (so not to dig through the suitcases). We had a car rental set, and directions and phone numbers for my uncle's house. We were there in no time.
It was a great way to relax, unwind, and get some more perspective on the parks from a local point of view. We got a good night's sleep when we headed out to meet the rest of the gang on Sunday morning.
The rest of the gang didn't fare so well with their hotel, and flight. They were given the wrong directions to get there at 1 am.
October 16th:
We met up at Epcot in the early afternoon. The park was really empty. We were able to enjoy a few rides, and then we headed for Italy to enjoy a nice sit down meal. Shane was part of the street show. We headed back to the hotel after that to unpack our things. We had three separate units, one for MIL, one for SIL's family, and one for us. Then DMIL, DSIL and I went food shopping for some basics while DH and DBIL went to the pool with the kids. We went to bed early.
October 17th:
We headed to the parks for the opening. Our group split because I had planned on rides for the little ones, where my niece and nephew were able to get on the more thrilling rides. We were able to go on many rides in Fantasyland with only a wait for Dumbo. We had little to no wait for the tea cups, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear, and Magic Carpets .
We fastpassed WtP for the afternoon, and then met up with SIL and kids for lunch at Cinderella's Castle. It was wonderful to cool off, and the food was delicious. The dining meant so much to me because it was like a dream come true! We took pictures with the princesses and had an amazing time.
After lunch, we split up again and we did our WtP fastpass, then headed for the Pooh's playground and sprayground. My children loved this. We spent a very long time here. They were so happy and I got adorable pics! I had swim shoes, swim diaper, and change of clothes, so they were completely comfortable.
My friend came and met up with us. We rode a few rides with them, and then she surprised us with a character meal at Crystal Palace. My children were thrilled to see Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore, and loved marching in the parade.
We met up with the rest of our group and headed back home together. It was way longer than we had planned to be at the park, but the day was balanced enough between meals, the play/sprayground, and the children taking naps.
I found that Dillon (15 mths) loved all the rides we went on. Shane loved the rides, but did not like the dark theatre. My DH took him out of Mickey's Philharmagic before it even started.
Also, both children were very afraid of fireworks. The fireworks were going off as wewere on the tram and the children really did not like them,
October 18th
We headed for MGM late in the morning to give the kids a chance to just rest. The park was not that crowded at all. We went to see Little Mermaid, Dillon loved it, but it was confirmed here that Shane didn't like the dark theatres. So we took him out right away. The group had to split up because of this. We knew that a lot of MGM would be shows, but I knew that there was a playground that the kids would love. We headed for the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playset. It was a hit.
After that we ate lunch at Pizza Planet, Shane and Dillon loved the arcade as did the bigger kids.
For the rest of the day, my MIL said she'd stay with us. The kids had fallen asleep in the carriage so my DH and I were able to ride on ToT and RockNRoll Roller Coaster with no wait.
When the kids woke up, we decided to head home. My MiL was really tired, and the kids were wiped still. The rest of the gang stayed the entire day to watch Fantasmic, but that would have been way to long for my children, and also they would have been afraid and uncomfortable of the fireworks.
The late afternoon we went to the pool, and we went up to my MIL's room with the children so they could have some quiet quality time with their Nana.
October 19th
Early day because we had seating at the Crystal Palace at 8:05 am. The whole gang had a delicious breakfast with Pooh and friends. We met all the characters and had a really nice time. After breakfast we split up because the rides we were heading for were different. It was fantastic because we just hopped on the rides in Fantasyland, it was empty. We went right onto Winnie the Pooh two times in a row, we also hopped right onto Tea Cups, Peter Pan, and this time we did It's a Small World. The kids loved that. We also did Magic Carpets again, twice in a row and Buzz Lightyear two times. The children just loved these rides. And we were able to have no crowds, and just enjoy them.
We ate lunch outside of Cosmic Ray's. After we changed the kids into water diaper, swimsuit, and swim shoes, and they had a ball at the play/spray ground again. I took my niece who is Dillon's age with us. I kept asking to keep her with us since she would do the same things my children did.
Later, my SIL met up with us with the older kids and we enjoyed the time. While the kids were there, my BIL offered to watch them, and DH and I enjoyed Snow White's ride, which was close by (and would have terrified the little ones) and caught the Mickey's Philharmagic again. At one point we were outside the Haunted Mansion, and the sign said 0 minutes for the wait. We all looked at each other, and just went on!
After this we packed up to head back and called it a day for our group.
Our kids fell asleep very early, and my MIL wanted DH and I to have time for ourselves since we were always with the little ones doing more "baby" things. So we headed for Pleasure Island and caught the act at the Comedy Club and the Adventure's club.
October 20
Tonight would be the MNSSHP, so we really wanted to take it easy during the day.
We had a seating at the Liberty Tree Tavern for 4:00, so we headed out about a little before three to give us time to get there, take the tram, and then the monorail.
We had a wonderful dinner and dessert. The kids got to see so many characters, Chip and Dale, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. And they were dressed for the party.
We then went to get our wristbands and goody bags. While we did this, the Cinderella show was starting. Many people were leaving the park for the day, and we were able to get a great place and enjoy the show.
Then we headed for the Baby Center to put on our costumes. My boys were both Peter Pan, it's a simple and light costume. My heart just melted!
We headed out and saw there was no line for a family photo so we took it right away. (Which was really good because everyone was fresh, and soon we'd change all the kids into shorts).
After that Shane fell asleep. My SIL took the older kids trick or treating, my BIL offered to take the kids so DH and I could ride some grown up rides. We walked onto Splash Mountain. We couldn't believe it, no one was there. It was an amazing ride. Then we walked on Thunder Mountain Railroad twice in a row! We also went over to Space Mountain.
We headed to Fantasyland and went on the kids favorite rides again. We just completed this when it started to get really crowded in the area.
When the parade started we headed away because the noise frightened the kids.
My kids fell asleep after this, and my husband and I went on a few more rides. We were very lucky because we were just walking on.
Later we got some ice cream for the kids, and headed out about 11
opmOctober 21
We had the kids sleep in. Then the entire gang went to MGM again. They really wanted to go, and we thought that we'd try the Beauty and the Beast show this time, and the playground again. As soon as we got there, Shane fell asleep. And Dillon and Tara (same age) played together. My MiL stayed with the kids and we all went on ToT twice in a row, and Rock and Roll Roller Coaster 3x in a row.
Then we took turns, one of us sitting out, because the three babies fell asleep, as the others walked on different attractions.
It was the only day it rained. And it was later in the day. So after a lunch in an empty restaurant, (I can't remember the name), we headed back.
That late afternoon, Shane wasn't feeling well, he had a fever, and he napped the rest of the day.
My DH and SIL had planned a dinner at the Polynesian Luau for my MIL's bday, it was where she expressed interest in. But they got reservations for a late sitting. So everyone went, and I stayed home with Shane so he could rest up.
October 22
First thing in the morning, we called my cousin's pediatrician who recommended where to go. We found Shane had a little fluid in his ears and the start of a sore throat. So we picked up his prescription, and we took the kids to my uncle and aunt's house where he was very comfortable. Later in the day, we strolled around Downtown Disney, did some shopping, but then it really started to rain. So we headed back early. We arranged our flight for the earliest time the next day to get home before the storms and to get Shane home in his own bed.
October 23
We were out of the place by 5:30 am, on the airplane and home by 10:30. It was a good flight, Dillon slept and Shane was feeling much better.
We were home.
We had a wonderful time, and we are already looking to go to Disney as soon as we can. Maybe tomorrow.
