Our First WDW Trip as Parents! December 2012 PTR - 12/19 TR LINK!

[disneybarbie]

Hi Lesha,

Just an idea for your Mom on the plane to Orlando... have you heard of the Virgin Atlantic iphone app called 'Flying without Fear'? I am thinking of getting it for the next time I fly - I'm becoming more and more anxious during turbulence!


Hope you have a lovely weekend!


Emma x

 

[mswings]

-Buying some type of hooks for the stroller: When we purchased items, we couldn't place it underneath because of the ginormous diaper bag. So I need to find some hooks

I'm pretty new around here but I've loved reading your TR! I just wanted to give my opinion on these hooks. The best thing I have ever seen for hanging things off of a stroller are big carabiner clips. You can get them at Home Depot and they only cost a couple dollars last time I checked. You can just clip them around the handle and then clip any bags into them so you know they aren't going to slide off since its closed rather than open like a hook. Hope this is able to help you!

 

[Leshaface]

loved reading your mini TR Lesha. The pictures were awesome, Calvin is just so cute. I always wondered how people managed the parks with a small baby I use to struggle just going to the mall lol.

We went to Kohls the other day, and it was harder doing this then being in the parks!

Are you getting excited about the MVMCP?? I see you on that thread too

Don't forget that if you buy something in the parks that you can have it delivered to your disney hotel, that may reduce the need for hooks for the stroller. I can see how your mom might pose a small problem with the crying. I can only assume that my dad will be the same way when I have kids...

Now I can't remember, is this in every park? We did this on our last trip only in Epcot though. And do they do it for DTD?

I asked my mom if she picked us every time me and my brother cried (I said it sarcastically) and she actually said yes! SMH. But this is also her first and only grandchild as of now, so she just wants to make him happy all the time. And i'm sure your dad will be the same too!

Have awesome that you got to do a "dress rehearsal" for your WDW trip to iron out all the kinks beforehand!!

I know! It was very spontaneous and I loved it!

I am so glad the trip went well. Gave you some practice for WDW. Love the pictures. Calvin is adorable. I love the outfit you bought him.

Hi Gina! The practice was much needed I think. I'm definitely more excited for this trip to WDW and am not as anxious. I think it may be the same for my mom too, because if we can do it at Disneyland, we can take him anywhere!

Thanks for sharing your trip to Disneyland Lesha - it looked like so much fun.. love the photos of Calvin on IASW!


Emma x

He is so adorable on that ride! Wish I could take flash pictures on that ride.

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I've gathered from other TRs that little ones are very fond of IaSW, but I'm impressed that even a 5-week-old got a kick out of it. I know it will be a must-do for us, just to impress DD.

I'm glad it worked out well for you. I'd be nervous about that too. So far, the closest to "in public" I've come is in the car. I'm sure the timing will work out so that I'll need to at some point, though.

Not sure if this is common or not, but our diaper bag (a Skip Hop brand one) has built in loops to hook it over stroller handles. I haven't tried them yet, but I know they're there. If not, I'm sure there are things you can buy to do that.

Really enjoyed your DL TR!

I was really surprised to see him looking around and actually turning his head slightly on that ride! It was so cute. I was thinking he was just going to be either sleeping or staring into nothing like most babies.

Breastfeeding in public, wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. The first time I did it was at a Chinese restaurant a few weeks ago, but we were in a corner booth with no one around and it was fairly dark, so I wasn't too uncomfortable.

We tried looking for hooks for that diaper bag on there, but there weren't any! Really shocked since a lot of purses can unhook so I was surprised this wasn't on this diaper bag. And it's a nice Eddie Bauer one too.

I'm glad your mom got to see a little of his proper behavior before you left. Hopefully she'll remember that on the trip.

Tomorrow, we're still working boxing up music, 116 boxes done, about 200 to go. We have a car club event Sunday morning and I have a massage in the afternoon, so for us that's relaxing! FE gifts are my biggest worry now!

Aaah a massage. At GCH by chance? Can't believe you're leaving in like 7 days!

Hi Lesha,

Just an idea for your Mom on the plane to Orlando... have you heard of the Virgin Atlantic iphone app called 'Flying without Fear'? I am thinking of getting it for the next time I fly - I'm becoming more and more anxious during turbulence!


Hope you have a lovely weekend!


Emma x

I've never heard of it but i'm definitely going to look into this. Thank you for thinking of her!

I'm pretty new around here but I've loved reading your TR! I just wanted to give my opinion on these hooks. The best thing I have ever seen for hanging things off of a stroller are big carabiner clips. You can get them at Home Depot and they only cost a couple dollars last time I checked. You can just clip them around the handle and then clip any bags into them so you know they aren't going to slide off since its closed rather than open like a hook. Hope this is able to help you!

Hi and welcome to the DIS!

I think I know exactly what you're talking about! I looked them up right now and had seen these on some of the strollers, but had no idea if they came with the stroller or what! So glad you came on here to let me know. Thank you so much. I'll have DH pick some up!

 

[stephielela]

Definitely use the resort delivery service for purchasing park items! It's so much better than hauling that stuff around all day!

As far as breast feeding in public, you won't be the only one! But since it might be chilly make sure you check out the baby care centers in every park. They have quiet comfortable areas for feeding and amazing areas for diaper changing!!! Really really awesome places!

Have you considered buying a balloon to put on the stroller? That will make it easier for locating from far away. Also at WDW cm's are constantly moving strollers so don't panic of you can't find it right away!

It's great that your mom wants to help out so much and hopefully you demonstrating that Calvin is just sometimes fussy and calms himself down has helped. Self-soothing is important for babies, and I can totally see why you don't want her causing changes in habits etc, but it's so hard to get that across to grandparents without hurting their feelings sometimes lol.

It definitely sounds like you guys had a good test run! You will have an awesome time!!!

 

[tinkgurl]

Hey girl! I am finally back after being MIA from the DIS for awhile! Calvin is so, so adorable! He sure liked IASW!

Just wanted to also let you know that I started our honeymoom TR!

 

[franandaj]

Aaah a massage. At GCH by chance? Can't believe you're leaving in like 7 days!

No, it was at a day spa in Polly's shopping center, just a few blocks north of your LB apartment. I know 7 days!!! I'm almost packed. Fran, that's another story.

Hey, I don't remember where you were doing your stay and park, but I saw on the news this morning, something about workers from a Holiday Inn in Westchester picketing. Evidently they are not unionized and they were protesting because the biggest issue was that a worker was forced to work with toxic chemicals for excessive hours to kill bed bugs. He got very sick, but what struck me was the fact that this hotel had bed bugs!

I don't mean to get you paranoid, but I would hate for you to start off your vacation with something so icky. Hopefully this isn't where you are staying. Maybe you said Holiday Inn Express.

 

[Leshaface]

No, it was at a day spa in Polly's shopping center, just a few blocks north of your LB apartment. I know 7 days!!! I'm almost packed. Fran, that's another story.

Hey, I don't remember where you were doing your stay and park, but I saw on the news this morning, something about workers from a Holiday Inn in Westchester picketing. Evidently they are not unionized and they were protesting because the biggest issue was that a worker was forced to work with toxic chemicals for excessive hours to kill bed bugs. He got very sick, but what struck me was the fact that this hotel had bed bugs!

I don't mean to get you paranoid, but I would hate for you to start off your vacation with something so icky. Hopefully this isn't where you are staying. Maybe you said Holiday Inn Express.

Do you anticipate any type of snafu's for this trip? Do you feel like you're 100% for sure going to make this trip?!

I just went and checked my email to see where we're staying at and thank the lord, we're at the EXPRESS! Thank you for letting me know about this, otherwise, I would have looked elsewhere.

 

[Leshaface]

Definitely use the resort delivery service for purchasing park items! It's so much better than hauling that stuff around all day!

As far as breast feeding in public, you won't be the only one! But since it might be chilly make sure you check out the baby care centers in every park. They have quiet comfortable areas for feeding and amazing areas for diaper changing!!! Really really awesome places!

Have you considered buying a balloon to put on the stroller? That will make it easier for locating from far away. Also at WDW cm's are constantly moving strollers so don't panic of you can't find it right away!

It's great that your mom wants to help out so much and hopefully you demonstrating that Calvin is just sometimes fussy and calms himself down has helped. Self-soothing is important for babies, and I can totally see why you don't want her causing changes in habits etc, but it's so hard to get that across to grandparents without hurting their feelings sometimes lol.

It definitely sounds like you guys had a good test run! You will have an awesome time!!!

Yes! The balloon I totally forgot about! DH (i'm sure) will not want to spend $10 on something but I hear that the balloons are actually quite good and last a very long time.

I was trying to figure out the word (self-sooth) to explain to my mom that he was crying for himself, but i'm sure she didn't understand because I couldn't find the right word for it. Thank you!

Hey girl! I am finally back after being MIA from the DIS for awhile! Calvin is so, so adorable! He sure liked IASW!

Just wanted to also let you know that I started our honeymoom TR!

Woot woot welcome back!

Be right over to check it out!

 

[mswings]

Hi and welcome to the DIS!

I think I know exactly what you're talking about! I looked them up right now and had seen these on some of the strollers, but had no idea if they came with the stroller or what! So glad you came on here to let me know. Thank you so much. I'll have DH pick some up!

Glad I could help! Your son is ADORABLE, by the way

 

[Pinkocto]

Loved hearing about your DL experiment. Calvin was too cute in IASW!

I hope things go well with your mom. I'm glad you were able to talk with her about it. Things like that can be touchy.

 

[Leshaface]

Glad I could help! Your son is ADORABLE, by the way

Isn't he though!? I love that kid.

Loved hearing about your DL experiment. Calvin was too cute in IASW!

I hope things go well with your mom. I'm glad you were able to talk with her about it. Things like that can be touchy.

He really was so cute on that ride!

And you're so right about a subject like this being touchy. We just have different parenting techniques I guess which is fine!

 

[Pinkocto]

Happy Thanksgiving Alicia

 

[rachel09985]

Awesome mini TR! I can't believe how alert he was on IASW!

Two things- is your husband a Green Bay Packer fan?? I noticed that on his shirt. My bf is a huge packer fan!!

I loved his churro shirt while eating a churro! Hahah that was hilarious.

 

[Alysa]

He's such a little sweetheart! Love the grin in his new pyjamas!

Great mini report!

PS - Don't do the balloon - it will hit you in the face. All. Day. Long.

 

[Leshaface]

Happy Thanksgiving Alicia

Thanks Pam! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Awesome mini TR! I can't believe how alert he was on IASW!

Two things- is your husband a Green Bay Packer fan?? I noticed that on his shirt. My bf is a huge packer fan!!

I loved his churro shirt while eating a churro! Hahah that was hilarious.

I know we were surprised how alert he was too!

Oh you'll love this then!

The socks are way too big for him, but we want him decked out in Packers gear.

He's such a little sweetheart! Love the grin in his new pyjamas!

Great mini report!

PS - Don't do the balloon - it will hit you in the face. All. Day. Long.

Oh my gosh! I had read about that somewhere and how annoying it gets! We probably won't end up getting one.

 

[heathsf]

Great Picture!!!!

 

[Leshaface]

Only 12 more days left!

I was trying to go back through my TR for the specific questions I had asked a while ago, but now I can't find them. I may have asked them on others TR's so this may sound repetitive, but can you guys answer these for me:

1) Child swap: I know we all have to go up as a family together to show that we have a baby in order to do the swap, but what if it is a FP attraction? Do we still get FP's and go to the CM at the front of the FP line or can we not use FP's if we want to use the Child Swap? Just want to make sure we do this correctly.

2) AKV: Our stateroom in located in Kidani Village, so do we check in at Kidani Village or Jambo house? And if we check in at Kidani, does the Magical Express drop off at Kidani too, or do we have to get off at Jambo House and walk over?

3) Shipping: Still thinking about shipping water and possibly diapers to AKV. I was going to order two cases of water but then got to thinking, will this be a lot of work for Bell Services to take that extra case whenever we switch resorts, since we may not be opening the extra case until the middle of the trip?

4) Switching resorts: We pack up all our stuff and call Bell Services to come up to our room while we're still there, so they can send it to BWV correct? And luggage doesn't arrive right away right?

5) Deluxe Dining Plan: When we switch over to BWV, we'll be on the Deluxe Dining Plan. Does this mean the morning that we check into BWV, we'll have to be there in the morning to have our dining credits added to cards to use for lunch that day?

Okay I think that's all the questions I have for now.

Thanks guys!

 

[jedijill]

Only 12 more days left!

I was trying to go back through my TR for the specific questions I had asked a while ago, but now I can't find them. I may have asked them on others TR's so this may sound repetitive, but can you guys answer these for me:

1) Child swap: I know we all have to go up as a family together to show that we have a baby in order to do the swap, but what if it is a FP attraction? Do we still get FP's and go to the CM at the front of the FP line or can we not use FP's if we want to use the Child Swap? Just want to make sure we do this correctly.

Yes, you can baby swap with a Fastpass.

2) AKV: Our stateroom in located in Kidani Village, so do we check in at Kidani Village or Jambo house? And if we check in at Kidani, does the Magical Express drop off at Kidani too, or do we have to get off at Jambo House and walk over?
You will check in at Kidani. The ME bus will pickup/drop off at Kidani. They run a shuttle van between Kidani and Jambo too if you want but it is about a 10 minute walk too. You can also jump on the DTD bus to go between resorts too I believe.

3) Shipping: Still thinking about shipping water and possibly diapers to AKV. I was going to order two cases of water but then got to thinking, will this be a lot of work for Bell Services to take that extra case whenever we switch resorts, since we may not be opening the extra case until the middle of the trip?
Shouldn't be an issue at all. Just give them a tip.

4) Switching resorts: We pack up all our stuff and call Bell Services to come up to our room while we're still there, so they can send it to BWV correct? And luggage doesn't arrive right away right?
Yep, just call them in the AM. I believe luggage delivery is between 1 and 3 although it could be later.

5) Deluxe Dining Plan: When we switch over to BWV, we'll be on the Deluxe Dining Plan. Does this mean the morning that we check into BWV, we'll have to be there in the morning to have our dining credits added to cards to use for lunch that day?

Your Kidani credits will be good to midnight of your checkout day but if you want your BWV credits on your check in day you will need to go check into BWV and get your new KTTW cards. They will do this even if your room is not ready.

Okay I think that's all the questions I have for now.

Thanks guys!

Answers in Red. I love that first picture! So cute!!!

Jill in CO

 

[Alysa]

I don't have all your answers but for #3 we packed an extra bag with just water and diapers and then we had room for shopping and souvenirs on the way back.

 

[LuvEeyore]

Hi!! I've missed you and most of your pregnancy...so sorry!! Calvin is so cute!!

All your before induction questions--you should have pm'd me.

Suggestion for breastfeeding and surviving Calvin's first flight. Let him be a little hungry and then begin to nurse as the plane backs away from the gait and you taxi so that he is nursing while you get to cruising altitude. As he swallows, he will adjust the pressure in his ears and be more comfortable and he will get less air at breast than a bottle. Also more comfort as he does something new.

I will be in Orlando on Friday Dec 14. We are cruising Saturday on the Fantasy.

Hope you have a great trip. I am here now. Let Calvin's first Disney trip begin!!