Princess Phoebe's Pre-WISH-Trip Report (arriving in MK 4/17/10)

[MaryAz]

I am glad you will get a Villa close to the playground. Make sure to take lots of pics of Pheobe on the swing. 12 days!!

 

[TokyoDina]

I'm so excited for you! Your trip being so close means mine is right around the corner! I can't wait to read your report~

Whee unexpected company. Haha I always love that.

I hope things go great however! Wow Phoebe goes to school in town? I feel your pain for the commute. It's like 30 minutes for me to get to work each day. Let's not even talk about when I have to pick up food to cook for dinner.

 

[yinyanggirls]

A couple more rides...

Casey's Circus Train

The Storybook boats (Phoebe on the left with Tim, my SIL and her baby on the right)

Alice in Wonderland

Okay, so, I left off at the Princess meet and greet.

So we go to the Princess area to see a LONG line. Tessa loved all of the old school princess movies and I wanted her to get to meet them. The rest of my group wanted nothing to do with them. What to do?

I sent my dad to get in line just in case, while I take the girls to the bathroom. Background info on Tessa, she has a delicate stomach and food allergies, etc. So she's going poop and the automatic toilet flushes and kind of freaked her out. She said she was done, I wiped her, got her dressed and then she says something about poopies are there, and I think she's talking about the poopies she just put in the potty and then she gets really frantic with me trying to tell me something about poopies and then I realize, she wasn't done. She just stopped because of the flush. She still needs to go and now she's dressed. I pull down clothes as fast as I can only to find I'm too late. She's messed in her pants. I put her back on the potty to see if she needs to go any more, leave Phoebe parked in the open door of the stall in the fairly busy bathroom while I run out to Tim who has the bags which contain the clean underwear. I hand him the dirty pair and instruct him to go wash them out in the mens' room. (I later reflect on this and wonder - why not throw them away???) I run back in to the bathroom, get some paper towels wet, clean Tessa up, dress her in clean clothes and take a breath. Now I'm ready to change Phoebe.

So far we've been using a regular single stall because this bathroom was busy enough that when we first walked in we had to wait in line as it was and I didn't want to make Tessa wait any longer to get a handicapped stall. So now I'm trying to undress Phoebe while maintaining some privacy and not let Tessa touch everything in the bathroom, especially the floor. Right at this moment my MIL walks in and tells me the wait is 1 1/2 hours. My eyes bulged and I repeated "1 1/2 hours???" and made some comment like "wow that's crazy". She asked if she could help and I told her to take Tessa out with her so I could finish Phoebe. She left.

I now get to take MY turn going to the bathroom and we wash up and join our group outside. My dad is standing there. I look around in confusion and ask why. Tim says his mom told them I agreed that 1 1/2 hours was just too long and that I didn't want to do it. I clarified (started arguing) with Tim what was said in the bathroom in the midst of the chaos. My dad walks away. Tim and I are still arguing. My dad calls me on his cell and says to bring the girls up to the line because the people who were behind him before saw him coming back to the line again and called him over. Told him to get back in his former place in front of them. We took SO LONG in the bathroom that this spot in the line was now nearing the front. The girls only had to wait about 20-30 minutes and Phoebe slept the whole time anyway.

You can't see which princesses are greeting at any given time. We get up to the front of the line to discover that none of Tessa's faves are there at the moment (Cindy, Aurora, Snow). Instead, there is Ariel, Belle and Jasmine. At this point (barely age 3) I had not been able to get Tessa to watch Jasmine or Belle's movies and Ariel was okay but not a fave. Oh well. What are you gonna do? I thought maybe later when she did finally watch those movies she'd have the photo as a neat memento of having met them. So we go through the motions and greet each princess (Getting Phoebe out of her chair for each one, something I've decided is not going to happen on the next trip, unless Phoebe acts like she WANTS to stand). Tessa is running around playing with the props and backdrops. I can't get her to hold still for the life of me and her interactions with the princesses was minimal. (I'm including some of the really horrible photos only to show just how disappointing this whole experience was, not for anything to do with the Princesses)

My dad was there taking pics with our own camera because we know that the Photopass is going to cost money, but not realizing that the photogs will gladly take pics with your camera if you ask. It was more chaos and I was really wondering why I bothered at this point.

By the second princess I'm smelling something stinky. I realize it's Phoebe. I'm thinking, let's just get through this!!!

At the end of it I see Tessa kinda lingering around some flowers and bushes and I realize, she needs to go too! I see Tim waiting for us at the exit, I instruct him to take her to the potty because I have to deal with Phoebe. He calls to Tessa and starts walking back to the restroom and I yell at him to RUN!!! They run for the bathroom and after I'm done taking care of Phoebe I find out that they made it just in time!

Next up: WHAT ride is closed???

 

[All7OfUs]

Most of our character interactions have been chaotic too, so we usually pass. Unless we just happen upon one without a line, we skip it.

The ride you were on in purple butterflies and green cars is Alice in Wonderland. It's always been there, and was one of my favorites growing up!

Holy poopie molies!! what a bathroom marathon fiasco!!!!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Most of our character interactions have been chaotic too, so we usually pass. Unless we just happen upon one without a line, we skip it.

The ride you were on in purple butterflies and green cars is Alice in Wonderland. It's always been there, and was one of my favorites growing up!

Holy poopie molies!! what a bathroom marathon fiasco!!!!!

You're right! Mr Toad is a totally different one. Thanks.

 

[Wee Annie]

You know, last time we went to WDW (pre-Elke), I saw tons of people waiting on very long lines for characters. And, of course, the princesses were always the longest lines. My then youngest (Maggie, almost 5 at the time), wanted to stand in line to meet them. My oldest, Kate, then 7, was smart enough to say she'd rather spend the time doing rides. So we split up, with my husband taking Kate and me standing on line with Maggie to see the princesses. My conclusion? As I said to my husband later, "That's one hour of my life I'll never get back." Here I was with an able-bodied almost 5 year old, and waiting on line with her was torture, and when she finally got up to meet them, she hardly interacted with them (was shy) and wouldn't speak at all (and hardly smiled, she was so shy). So yup, definitely do the cost-benefit analysis before you just automatically stand in line to see characters.

I realize the above is practically blasphemy on a WDW site with adoring fans (and I love WDW), but I think the lesson I learned was to try to gauge how much my children were actually going to get out of the meet and greet before we did it. I know there are some children out there for whom the experience is priceless. Mine, not so much!

Thanks for the DL TR and photos -- I'm loving them! Phoebe and Tessa are gorgeous!

Hey -- I finally STARTED thinking about an itinerary last night. More to follow.

 

[wishin' on a star]

Bathroom adventures are quite common in our family! And I definitely would have thrown the undies away. But at the time, doesn't it seem like you are the only one who ever goes through fiascos like that?! You are lucky, because my DH would NEVER take one of the girls to a public bathroom...especially to poop!

I invision that some of our character greetings will be completely non-interactive like that, too! I'm hoping that having the magic button, and hopefully not waiting in line, getting cranky and tired, etc, etc...will help to make the character interactions a little better.

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[TokyoDina]

Oh my I'm sorry the princess interaction went so bad..... I hope things are much better next time and it's good thing you learned from that experiance!

 

[kellyw8863]

Hey -- I finally STARTED thinking about an itinerary last night. More to follow.

I know this isn't your PTR, but please, do share!

The Nikon Coolpix arrived today!!! I'm charging up the battery so I can go play with it. Will have to post a couple of sample tonight.

I'm gathering the girls' beach and touring clothes for week 2, as well as packing my own stuff! I'm hoping I have enough clothes I can get away with packing away my trip wardrobe without having to take anything out of the suitcase. This is a first for me, so I guess I'm pretty excited. I refuse to stay awake until 3am the night before we leave and ruin my mood on travel day.

If I can get the clothes all packed I can spend next week worrying about all the little details.

We leave in 12 days!!!!!

Woot! Woot! My sil has the Nikon Coolpix, and it takes great pictures - I think you'll really like it! I can't believe we're all so close to actually leaving! Good for you for starting on the packing. I think I'm actually going to start with cleaning our bedroom tonight and packing up the piles of outgrown clothes (the girls' not mine) in the corner. Then I'll have room to drag in suitcases and the like. I'm glad they're going to accommodate you near the playground. I'm hoping that we're in the general vicinity as well! Ahhh!!!! This is all just so crazy!!!!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Oh I wanted a Nikon Coolpix but everytime I went to get one they were out My mil has that camera and I love it!!

Oh my gosh times flyin!!!!

 

[kayrosek]

I'm loving the Disneyland pictures. I really liked Jonnies Nikon coolpix so I think you will probably like it as well. Wow you are getting so close.

 

[jordanyosh]

Oh the joys of kid poo stories......

I wish I was there to help you...except I woulda been gagging while helping you with the diapers...

You are leaving in like 10 more days!!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh the joys of kid poo stories......

I wish I was there to help you...except I woulda been gagging while helping you with the diapers...

You are leaving in like 10 more days!!!!

You know, I could change my own kids no problem (except when they had the flu) ; but if I had to change someone else's kid, I'd throw up EVERY time. Still can't do my own kids' throw up either.

 

[MaryAz]

Oh no on the poop stories. May your next trip be accident free!

 

[Wee Annie]

I'm gathering the girls' beach and touring clothes for week 2, as well as packing my own stuff! I'm hoping I have enough clothes I can get away with packing away my trip wardrobe without having to take anything out of the suitcase. This is a first for me, so I guess I'm pretty excited. I refuse to stay awake until 3am the night before we leave and ruin my mood on travel day.

If I can get the clothes all packed I can spend next week worrying about all the little details.

We leave in 12 days!!!!!

See, that's where you and I differ. I just wouldn't be me if I wasn't up to 3 am the night before we left. It's kind of like a tradition (one my husband hates). Can't break with tradition now. And it's amazing how much packing can go on in the last 24 hours....

So, I'm ready to start planning (finally!) and the boards seem kind of dead! Did everyone move on to some other thread? Huh?

Perhaps I should ask the question I asked on the Wish Trip thread here. Do you know whether all the Disney parks have wish lounges? It just sounds like a nice place to be able to recharge, etc, and perhaps be able to stay a bit longer in the park. Without something like this, I see my family lasting 4 hours tops at a go.

Btw Melissa, since I will have gotten no sleep the night before we leave, don't hold it against me if I'm a bear if I see you the next evening....

 

[Wee Annie]

Btw,
for my "itinerary" I thought I might just have my family follow you all around. And when Elke has one of her infamous, gigantic, Exorcist-like meltdowns, I'll just tell everyone ogling us that she's yours.

Deal?


(That's what you get for being kind and signing Elke's CB page! Thanks for that, and the support. My daily mantra is that perspective is everything. And when I realize things like the fact that you would give anything for Phoebe to be able to get about like Elke does, it gives me wonderful perspective. As a good friend mentioned to me last week: "Everyone's mountain is someone else's molehill." Love it. [Of course, the opposite is also true: "Your molehill is someone else's mountain." But that's not the perspective that keeps me going.])

So what's our itinerary, huh? Did you make any dining reservations for us?

Just kidding. sort of. I will give you (and Kelly) our rough itinerary soon.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Btw,
for my "itinerary" I thought I might just have my family follow you all around. And when Elke has one of her infamous, gigantic, Exorcist-like meltdowns, I'll just tell everyone ogling us that she's yours.

Deal?


(That's what you get for being kind and signing Elke's CB page! Thanks for that, and the support. My daily mantra is that perspective is everything. And when I realize things like the fact that you would give anything for Phoebe to be able to get about like Elke does, it gives me wonderful perspective. As a good friend mentioned to me last week: "Everyone's mountain is someone else's molehill." Love it. [Of course, the opposite is also true: "Your molehill is someone else's mountain." But that's not the perspective that keeps me going.])

So what's our itinerary, huh? Did you make any dining reservations for us?

Just kidding. sort of. I will give you (and Kelly) our rough itinerary soon.

No problem. When Tessa has a major meltdown I'll just do the same. It's funny to watch people looking around for her mother, because they never assume it's me.

I've looked at her CB site a few times but figured I should come out of the guestbook closet so to speak.

And yes, I know what you mean about the challenges. I loved Phoebe with all my heart the minute we met, but I did mourn the loss of a "typical" child. Then Tessa came along, made up for it in spades and I find myself wishing for a few of the calm and quiet days of "just" Phoebe.

Btw Melissa, since I will have gotten no sleep the night before we leave, don't hold it against me if I'm a bear if I see you the next evening....

I expect you to be as chipper as Mary Poppins, with no dark circles or yawns. You guys won't have a time change so you probably will be ready to crash by the time we get there!

Sorry, I know nothing about the WISH lounges, but if I remember who has pics of them or other info I'll let you know. You can search a thread, so maybe the word lounge would get you some info on the Wish Trip thread.

 

[yinyanggirls]

I'm glad to hear about everyone liking the Nikon. I've been having doubts since I started playing with it and DH is sad that I'm not in love with it, yet. I have to remind myself that it IS just a point and shoot. I'm experimenting with the different modes. We did some sight seeing the other day and the landscape mode had everything kinda yellow. Definitely need to experiment more.

I invision that some of our character greetings will be completely non-interactive like that, too! I'm hoping that having the magic button, and hopefully not waiting in line, getting cranky and tired, etc, etc...will help to make the character interactions a little better.

I'm hoping that will make the ones why do try a lot easier to get through.

Oh my I'm sorry the princess interaction went so bad..... I hope things are much better next time and it's good thing you learned from that experiance!

Yep! Definitely learned from it.

Oh the joys of kid poo stories......

I wish I was there to help you...except I woulda been gagging while helping you with the diapers...

You are leaving in like 10 more days!!!!

You know, I could change my own kids no problem (except when they had the flu) ; but if I had to change someone else's kid, I'd throw up EVERY time. Still can't do my own kids' throw up either.

I can handle poo up to my elbows (sorry for the visual) but throw up still gets me.

Oh no on the poop stories. May your next trip be accident free!

Thanks! Here's hoping!

 

[pacrosby]

Lovin your px of Disneyland!

Your 'poop' stories? Not so much

Actually poop doesn't bother me so much as throw-up

I've got a bunch of those stories from just last month if you'd like??????

 

[that's nice]

Time for some single digit dancing!!!!!!!




Few camera tips from a 'non-expert'!

Take your time with the camera... if all else fails use auto mode. I never use red eye reduction. IT takes longer for you to take the picture. Just use an editing program to take out any red eye. Keep in mind even in auto you can turn on & off the flash. The camera might think there is enough light- say an indoor pic- but you want the flash on so your subjects face isn't dark. If you are shooting the fireworks you want to keep the flash off. That will allow more ambient light into the camera and give you decent pics. Also hold the camera as steady as you can for nighttime pics or steady it on a railing or garbage can.