Ooh-de-lally! A dining heavy October '13 Trip Report *update 2/23-We're Going Back!*

[missangelalexis]

I'm sorry Olivia wasn't up for Enchanted Tales with Belle. At least you got to cross another princess of the list, not many to go now! Cute pic of Olivia with Snow White's kiss imprint

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Glad you only needed one of the princesses. That would have been frustrating if you needed 2, but they were in separate groups!!

Aww that is so cute with the lipstick on Olivia's face from Snow.

Happiest Cruise coming up??? Uh Oh...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I'm sorry Olivia wasn't up for Enchanted Tales with Belle. At least you got to cross another princess of the list, not many to go now! Cute pic of Olivia with Snow White's kiss imprint

yeah, I was kinda bummed at the time but at least she was able to make the decision for herself and she never brought it up again later that she wished she had done it or anything.

Thanks! We have a picture like that of each trip so fun to see her change/age with each one.

Glad you only needed one of the princesses. That would have been frustrating if you needed 2, but they were in separate groups!!

Aww that is so cute with the lipstick on Olivia's face from Snow.

Happiest Cruise coming up??? Uh Oh...

Yeah, it worked out for us since we had seen most of them at Akershsus, but I can see it being frustrating for people on crowded days that want to meet Cinderella and Repunzel as they are never together.

Guess my hint wasn't too subtle. Don't worry we survived - still think they should make up those t-shirts and sell in the gift shops ... and give you a huge royalty of course

 

[IheartDDuck]

Awww, the four kiddos posing on Main Street is so cute!!!! I am also insanely jealous of Tara's seashell necklace.

Wait....I thought that puffed french toast WAS the breakfast of champions?

Yeah, putting the words pastry cream in something would pretty much sell me on it immediately as well.

At least Olivia was honest. "Um...rides...." That may well have always been my answer too when I was little.

Seriously though, the boys were obsessed with the carousel in July! Every time we walked by it, they were like "I want to go on the carousel!" Who knew....kids and carousels....gets them every time.

 

[emmysmommy]

Those are adorable Rapunzel photos! And the ones on Main Street are definitely Christmas card worthy. Your kids are just so adorable and photogenic.

I'm a hug pooh's puffed French toast fan. I've tried the breakfast lasagna but took a pass this last time now that I know all the ingredients there. I can't imagine the calorie count.

That's funny that your DD chose rides over standing in bell's line. If it makes you feel any better, the last time that we went to see EtwB, they had the magic door already open so we didn't get to see it in its enchanted state.

 

[MiaBella05]

joining in

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Awww, the four kiddos posing on Main Street is so cute!!!! I am also insanely jealous of Tara's seashell necklace.

Thanks - in some ways I wish we got more pictures on main street but getting that many people organized was a challenge - at any time at least one person (i.e., kid) was not in to posing.

Oh, and Tara's seashell necklace also played a tune from The Little Mermaid, which was fine, but she would play it, like, a lot and you would just start hearing it at odd times ... so yeah, it was great

Wait....I thought that puffed french toast WAS the breakfast of champions?

Yeah, putting the words pastry cream in something would pretty much sell me on it immediately as well.

If only it was the breakfast of champions - though if it was healthy and you had it every day it wouldn't seem so special .... or at least that is what I tell myself

At least Olivia was honest. "Um...rides...." That may well have always been my answer too when I was little.

Seriously though, the boys were obsessed with the carousel in July! Every time we walked by it, they were like "I want to go on the carousel!" Who knew....kids and carousels....gets them every time.

on of the malls by us has a carousel in it ... you bet we have to ride that every trip. While I was a little bummed we hadn't gone on more at that point the kids seemed happy which I suppose is the real point

Those are adorable Rapunzel photos! And the ones on Main Street are definitely Christmas card worthy. Your kids are just so adorable and photogenic.

Thank you! They definitely must get that from their mother as I feel I take awful pictures.

I'm a hug pooh's puffed French toast fan. I've tried the breakfast lasagna but took a pass this last time now that I know all the ingredients there. I can't imagine the calorie count.

Judi loves, loves the puffed French Toast ... I think if we had decided to eat in the Castle instead she would have sat there all grumpy like b/c she knew she was missing out on the puffed French Toast. Ok, probably a slight exaggeration but if she wound up not liking her meal there I am sure she would have let me know once or a dozen times that the alternative to her less than wonderful meal was puffed French Toast

That's funny that your DD chose rides over standing in bell's line. If it makes you feel any better, the last time that we went to see EtwB, they had the magic door already open so we didn't get to see it in its enchanted state.

It's funny because usually she is up for that sort of stuff - she loves performing/being on stage but for that moment she just wasn't in to it.

oh wow - if I had waited like 40 minutes and they didn't do the door effect I would not have been a happy resort guest

joining in

yeah! Thanks for joining!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Day 6 - Part 3: Magic Kingdom ... The Circus and other Oddities​

After our visit with royalty we decided to head towards another attraction we knew we wanted to show the kids ... Dumbo. So off into Newish Fantasyland we went.

I now it has been said a million times here but the detail they put into this area really is amazing:

The line to get right onto Dumbo wasn't that bad, but the kids wanted to play some and it was starting to get hot so some AC sounded pretty good to us adults. They didn't even bother to give us magic feathers, just told us to come up when we wanted to ride.

Peter and Owen enjoyed the little kids area. I know it looks like they just got caught at Make-out Point, but I swear that kiss was from Snow White.

and Tara and Olivia had so much fun up in the netting obstacle course area that it was hard to get them to come out

Eventually we did convince them to stop playing and to come ride the flying elephant - and they of course had a blast!

As my kids have never seen a water feature they didn't have to play in, after coming down from our flight they took off for Casy Jr's Splash and Soak Station:

I noticed here that they were kind enough to put up signs warning you about Random Levitating:

We then proceeded to the other ride in this area - The Barnstormer ... and the level of detail on the scenery continued at a hight level.

I love how they bothered to show how the tracks for Casy Jr's ran out and they put up a stop and everything:

I love here how they made it look like and old sign/wood was being recycled for the new one and how there is a literal Wind Sock ... not to mention Wind Pants:

and here how one of the cannon balls is one of Goofy's old bowling balls:

Hearing all the horror stories about what The Barnstormer can do to adult's backs, Mike and Bridgett opted not to ride, so Judi rode with Tara and I rode with Olivia.

Overall, I actually kinda liked The Barnstormer. It wasn't nearly as bad, from a pain, perspective as I was expecting - though may be a case of "Expecting the worst so mediocre seems pretty darn good" ... note, that was also the advice I gave girls I dated in college.

... also, perhaps all the back problems occurred before they put the warnings in each and every car that dancing was not allowed ... I mean, I could see throwing your back out while trying to do the cabbage patch while rollercoastering


One last shot before we leave this area - once again making me annoyed to have the Mine Train construction going on but building my excitement for when it is finished even more.

We couldn't quite decide what to do next. I think it was at this point I ran and got fastpasses for Space Mountain while everyone else wandered towards It's a Small World.

Now I know this isn't exactly everyone's favorite ride - with some going as far as saying the goal of riding it is merely to "survive" it but it is one of those rides that we just have to do at least once each trip. Plus it just makes me think of when it all started having originally been created for the Worlds Fair before even Disneyland was built. Plus, there are so many weird things in there that I try to catch new ones each ride.

First though, a view of the line. Um, I thought a random Thursday in October would be kind of empty

Oh well, the line moves quickly on this ride, plus it provided me with a chance to see the big clock open up and do it's little show on the hour:

So here are a few of the weird/interesting things I noticed this ride:

Wandering Camel Rider with Back Up Dancers:

This weird bird thing in a cage with scary looking doll out front:

Guitar Player on a Donkey Rocking Horse ... oh, I get it, a Rockin' Donkey

and, of course, the Cactus Band:

TTFN!

 

[missangelalexis]

Great update! I got a chance to see the clock open up on the hour too, i loved that!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Great post Phil. Loved all the hilarity!

Nobody does detail better than Disney!!

I really need top see the Dumbo waiting area. It looks so cute. It's also so amusing to me that THIS seems to be where kids have the most fun at Disney.

Bahaha, I love that sign. Good to know that levitating is indeed allowed though.

Now who would ever have an issue with Small World? Seriouslly??!!! Crazy people that's who!!

 

[alabamagirl]

Enjoying your trip report so far! A few questions...

DH and I want to eat at Jiko on our next trip but I am terrified of taking my kids (4 and 2) to a signature restaurant. Your kids seemed to do well at CG. Any tips? Bribes...duct tape?? Lol.

Also, we are doing CP on our only full MK day. What time was your reservation? Did it work out well for you in planning the rest of your day?

TIA and I can't wait to read more!

 

[BionicEar]

Enjoying your trip report so far! A few questions... DH and I want to eat at Jiko on our next trip but I am terrified of taking my kids (4 and 2) to a signature restaurant. Your kids seemed to do well at CG. Any tips? Bribes...duct tape?? Lol.

Something you might want to consider that DH and I did with our kids on our last trips. Our three were young, and like you, we wanted a nice dinner at a signature restaurant. We hired an on-site babysitter from Fairy Godmother (that's the name of the service I remember) and it was totally worth it. They sent an older lady (usually one who is a grandmother - at least the two we had were) and they came to babysit in our room. She came well prepared - coloring pages, games, etc. The kids loved both sitters we had (one on each separate trip) and they would be sound asleep when we got back. You guys deserve a nice date night, and the kids will probably love telling someone else allllllll about their trip at Disney so far. We're now planning our next trip, and they're now teens. I'm pretty sure they'll be able to take care of themselves now. :-D

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Great update! I got a chance to see the clock open up on the hour too, i loved that!

Thank you - I was glad I got a pic of the open clock tower ... kinda didn't even hit me for a little bit what was going on with all the extra noise, then noticed it was open with the time shown

Great post Phil. Loved all the hilarity!

Nobody does detail better than Disney!!

I really need top see the Dumbo waiting area. It looks so cute. It's also so amusing to me that THIS seems to be where kids have the most fun at Disney.

Bahaha, I love that sign. Good to know that levitating is indeed allowed though.

Now who would ever have an issue with Small World? Seriouslly??!!! Crazy people that's who!!

Thank you Rob - definitely a compliment coming from you!

The Dumbo area is definitely cute and the fact it is AC'd is great! The kids loved it - though when it is more crowded I could definitely see losing a kid in the climbing net area - they are pretty thick and not the easiest to see through and they are definitely not parent sized to go in after them

Yup, so Disney's official stance is:
Dancing = no go
Levitating = allowed, just be careful

yep, definitely only crazy people wouldn't like It's a Small World ... or at least people who are crazy like a fox!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Enjoying your trip report so far! A few questions...

DH and I want to eat at Jiko on our next trip but I am terrified of taking my kids (4 and 2) to a signature restaurant. Your kids seemed to do well at CG. Any tips? Bribes...duct tape?? Lol.

Also, we are doing CP on our only full MK day. What time was your reservation? Did it work out well for you in planning the rest of your day?

TIA and I can't wait to read more!

Thank you! Not sure if we are experts on the whole kids behaving thing, but we have taken them out to fairly nice restaurants their whole lives - we figured we were not going to sacrifice that just because we had kids So I think that helps. Also helps that Peter love, love, loves food - so as long as we can get bread or something right away that helps.

Also, try to have some sort of activity for them and if all else fans, break out the smart phones. I guess just try to have patience, bribe if needed (promise of dessert only if you behave often works) and if things get bad know you might need to take one of them out of the restaurant at some point.

oh, and we are resigned to the fact we will have to tip extra


Our pre-park opening breakfasts tended to have ADR times of around 8:15 or so, which works out pretty good. Since they have been opening the parks a bit early of late, if we notice people have entered we usually have one of us run off to collect fast passes for one attraction while the rest of us are still eating - so keep that in mind. That really helped with getting TSM fastpasses.

Have a great trip!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Real Life Update: Merry Christmas!​

Just wanted to take a break from our regularly scheduled (ok, semi-regularly scheduled) trip report to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas ... and for those that don't celebrate, Happy Wednesday!


Thought I would share a few pictures from our Christmas Eve/Christmas Morning

So Olivia has been kinda rockin' a 'tude lately - to the point we were debating if we would place her on the naughty list and not have Santa leave her any presents. Ultimately we just couldn't do that, but did have Santa leave her a stern letter of warning:

(oh, and I may or may not have spent way too much time trying to get the carrot to look like a raindeer took a bite from it)


All in all, I think the kids got quite a decent haul this year:

This is the first year that Olivia was really, really into the whole Santa Claus scenario and also the first year Peter has been solid at being able to remove wrapping paper - so that was clearly a highlight for this morning:

As mentioned a few updates ago, we wound up getting Olivia an Ariel Doll while at Disney this past trip, but unfortunately she lost it at some point - fortunately Santa was able to track one down - and this time she came with a bath tub and everything:

We also got the kids personalized Mickey/Minnie Christmas pajamas - Olivia had put hers on for the last picture. Peter, well, he couldn't be bothered as there were Cars to play with and race!

and I swear it was not any fun for the rest of us to play with as well, nope, just making the sacrifice to ensure my son's happiness

Well, hope you all are having a wonderful day and a wonderful season! No matter what or why you celebrate I hope it is as stress free as possible and you are able to spend time with those you care about - either in person, in spirit, or virtually on a message board

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[alabamagirl]

Something you might want to consider that DH and I did with our kids on our last trips. Our three were young, and like you, we wanted a nice dinner at a signature restaurant. We hired an on-site babysitter from Fairy Godmother (that's the name of the service I remember) and it was totally worth it. They sent an older lady (usually one who is a grandmother - at least the two we had were) and they came to babysit in our room. She came well prepared - coloring pages, games, etc. The kids loved both sitters we had (one on each separate trip) and they would be sound asleep when we got back. You guys deserve a nice date night, and the kids will probably love telling someone else allllllll about their trip at Disney so far. We're now planning our next trip, and they're now teens. I'm pretty sure they'll be able to take care of themselves now. :-D

Thanks! I had thought about doing this but DH is not so sure. I think my older son would be fine. The younger one still has some separation anxiety. Our trip isn't until the end of May so things may change and this may be the route we take.

 

[alabamagirl]

Thank you! Not sure if we are experts on the whole kids behaving thing, but we have taken them out to fairly nice restaurants their whole lives - we figured we were not going to sacrifice that just because we had kids So I think that helps. Also helps that Peter love, love, loves food - so as long as we can get bread or something right away that helps.

Also, try to have some sort of activity for them and if all else fans, break out the smart phones. I guess just try to have patience, bribe if needed (promise of dessert only if you behave often works) and if things get bad know you might need to take one of them out of the restaurant at some point.

oh, and we are resigned to the fact we will have to tip extra

Our pre-park opening breakfasts tended to have ADR times of around 8:15 or so, which works out pretty good. Since they have been opening the parks a bit early of late, if we notice people have entered we usually have one of us run off to collect fast passes for one attraction while the rest of us are still eating - so keep that in mind. That really helped with getting TSM fastpasses.

Have a great trip!

Our two are...well unpredictable and I remember Jiko being very quiet. And they are...not. LOL. I may give them a chance and try it or talk DH into the in room baby sitter. Either way, thanks for the tips!!

BTW I am impressed that Peter eats fish. Mine will probably ask for a hotdog at Jiko. Gotta love em.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Our two are...well unpredictable and I remember Jiko being very quiet. And they are...not. LOL. I may give them a chance and try it or talk DH into the in room baby sitter. Either way, thanks for the tips!!

BTW I am impressed that Peter eats fish. Mine will probably ask for a hotdog at Jiko. Gotta love em.

To be honest, we have never eaten at Jiko so can't speak to that one specifically and if it is more quiet I would think twice of taking my kids there as well as "quiet" is not really one of their specialties.

If you don't have your heart set on Jiko you could try something like Cali Grill or Flying Fish or other signatures that are a bit louder

As far as eating, Peter is great and eats anything. Olivia used to be like that but has a more typical kid palate now ... though we do generally make her at least try different things - and half the time she winds up liking it, but if she doesn't we will then get her something else

 

[wiigirl]

Great pics!