Proving the Critics Wrong: Taking our 18 month old to WDW for 10 Days! Update- Chapt

[dizziedupbaby0127]

We had a great weekend trip, DD did wonderful adapting to the late hours, new people, sleeping in the car and such. As long as we find ways to occupy DD on the plane ride down to Disney, the ride home will be cake! DD should be awake about an hour and asleep the rest of the trip home!

We only had one mishap and let me tell you, LESSON LEARNED! On Thursday afternoon I had my parents pick DD and myself up to bring us down to meet DH at work, so we could save almost 2 hours travel time. So we packed my parents jeep up and headed down. As we got to DH’s work, my dad started unloading his car and putting everything into our car. DH came out and said he wanted to bring DD in to see his co-workers. My parents seemed in a rush (most likely they were hungry being that it was about 5:30 at this point) so we said good-by and we in to visit. After about 30 minutes we headed to dinner. We had decided to hit a drive-in with burgers and had a nice dinner. As we went to load back into the car, I suggested to DH we start the DVD player for DD. To my surprise we couldn’t find the DVD player. And it hits me, my dad was unloading his car, as the DVD player and MY CAMERAS were in the trunk and he NEVER PUT THEM IN OUR CAR! I was in tears! Our first trip to the ocean and no camera. It was well over an hour, so my parents were home already and there was no way I was making them come back down with, nor did we have time to either wait for them or to go back and get it. So after a few more tears and a few phone calls, we decided to have DH’s dad pick it up on his way out the following day. Partial crisis diverted! Now how to solve the beach day? Well we ended up borrowing DH’s aunt’s camera! Thank goodness!

So my lesson was learned, any subsequent trips, when we get in the car MY CAMERA is attached to me ALWAYS!!! Never again will it go loose in the trunk, backseat or anywhere else! I swear I will have DD attached on one hip, my camera on the other!

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

So yesterday I made our final payment! I couldn't be more happier!

I have been working on a pre-packing test run! I pulled out our suitcases, divided all DH's, DD's and my clothing into our checked luggage and our carry-on luggage piles and pretend packed. We need to get an idea of how much luggage/room we will need and decide if I want to ship a box down, order and have diapers and such sent to the resort, or if we are going to just pack it all. So far all clothing is account for minus our MNSSHP costumes and Dh's socks but we fit it all into my Vera Bradley weekender bag, a small carry-on suitcase and one piece of checked luggage! and I didn't even pack carefully!

We still have to decide on our second "personal" carry-on item and the other will be a back pack. The back pack will be used at the parks to carry around our stuff we won't leave in the stroller. But for the other carry-on I want a good sizes, fully closeable bag, not sure what we are going to endup with.

I am also working on our touring plans, I should have that posted in a few days, right now I think Ill post my packing list and hopefully you all will have some comments on that!

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

Toiletries
Sunblock baby
Sunblock adult
Aloe lotion
Body glide
lotion
shampoo
conditioner
body wash
razor
deodorant
tooth paste
tooth brush
Makeup
floss
mouthwash
gum
facewipes
toilet seat covers
tissues
face lotion
Chapstick
Lint roller
wrinkle releaser
comb/hairbrush
Feminine hygiene products
Hair ties/clips
Hand Sanitizer 3oz

Medicines
excedrine
ibuprofin
zyrtec
antacids
bandaids
nail clippers
nail file
nail polish
q-tips
shout wipes
tweezers
neosporin
Baby tylenol
Prescriptions
Motion Sickness pills
Baby Benedryl
Glycerin Drops
Vaseline
topical benedryl

Electronics
Cell phone
Cell phone charger
cell phone case
Ipod
Ipod charger
Camera
Camera Battery
Camera Charger
Camcorder
Camcorder Charger
Memory Cards
Headphones
Hair Dryer
Straightner
curling Iron
DVD player
Charger
movies

Other Important Items
luggage key
Sunglasses
cash
ccards
health insu
ID
tickets
Binder
Games
Magazines/plane
sleep mask
Glasses
Fix-it case for glasses
Luggage Locks
small sewing kit
laundry bag
dryer sheets/purex all in one laundry
Quarters for laundry

Clothing
T-shirts/Tanktops
Shorts/Capris/Skirts
Socks
Underwear/Boxers
Bras
Bathing Suit
PJ Tops
PJ Bottoms
Flip Flops/Sandels
Sneakers
Belts
Poncho/Umbrella
Pillow cases
Flat sheet
Hat
light hoodie/sweater

Baby Items
stroller
play yard sheets
matress pad
blankets
toys
sippy cups
take n toss
pacifiers
diapers
outfits
hats
onsies
socks
shoes
bathing suit
sunblock
stroller fan
stroller rain cover
stroller bag
sunglasses
bibs
baby wipes
swim diapers
handi wipes
Snacks



Ok what did I miss??????

 

[jp'smommy]

How about pj's for your DD. I am thinking! How about extra batteries for the fan. Do you really need a hair dryer? You can just use the one in the room. Just a thought on that one.
Oh, we just got in our stroller fan! Are you going to be doing pressed pennies?

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

How about pj's for your DD. I am thinking! How about extra batteries for the fan. Do you really need a hair dryer? You can just use the one in the room. Just a thought on that one.
Oh, we just got in our stroller fan! Are you going to be doing pressed pennies?

Whoops,we do have Pj's for DD! lol just forgot to put them on the list! 2 sets of shorts and tanks, 2 sets of shorts and tee's and 2 sets of pants and long sleeves!

Good One! Extra batteries for the fan! Need those! We just ended up getting those mini carabeaner ones from walmart, but they seem to work pretty good!

Actually I do need the hair dryer! My hair is super thick the resort hair dryer takes like 30 minutes to dry my hair, so I bring my own to save that 25 minutes!

We don't usually do the pressed pennys, we might do one for DD to see

Thanks for the tips!

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

Here are a few pics of DD from Hampton Beach, I still don't have ones of Dh and Me since they are on Dh's computer and he keeps "forgetting"

Eating her watermellon! DD LOVES water mellon she tries to eat the rine too! She is with her Aunt in these pics

Watching her cousin open presents

The Beach

 

[jp'smommy]

Oh, she is too cute! The last pic is too funny.

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

Has anyone flown with a lap baby before? I really am wondering if we can bring an extra 1qt baggie through security since we have dd? The TSA website says 1 baggie per person, not per ticketed passanger We could really use the extra room

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

So a few weeks ago I made an executive decision and decided we are all going as pirates to MNSSHP. I figured it's one costume DH wouldn't mind TOO much!

So I have been picking up bits and pieces, here and there. I didn't want generic store bought ones, but there is no way I have the time or patience to make them from scratch. My solution...? Buying pre-made clothing and using it to create my own costume.

For DD, I had the cutest black and white striped top with a black vest already attached to it, and I got her a light pink tutu with little black capri leggings and a light pink hat I am putting a mickey pirate iron-on on!

For me, I already had a pair of black gouchos and I found a white cute eyelet top with shoulder sleeves lace-up chest (i plan on wearing a white tank underneath) and a black vest type thing to go over it. I have a pink black and white pirate bandana already so I'm set! The best part my whole outfit cost $14, Maurices had clearence tops for $6.95 and both the vest and shirt i found there!

Now poor DH, I have no idea what to do for him! and I don't think an X-rated is appropriate for Disney

 

[lovethattink]

Your MNSSHP costumes sound like a great idea, and it didn't cost you a fortune. They sell pirate hats at the park that your dh could get, other than that I'm bad with coming up with ideas.

I don't know about the quart size bag for a hand held baby.

Is the Vera lined? I've stopped using my veras at Disney because when it rains everything inside gets wet. Though I will use a hipster or mini-hipster under a poncho. We've been having a nice storm almost every afternoon that cools things down. I've switched to a bagellini.

Looks like a fun time at Hampton Beach.

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

Your MNSSHP costumes sound like a great idea, and it didn't cost you a fortune. They sell pirate hats at the park that your dh could get, other than that I'm bad with coming up with ideas.

I don't know about the quart size bag for a hand held baby.

Is the Vera lined? I've stopped using my veras at Disney because when it rains everything inside gets wet. Though I will use a hipster or mini-hipster under a poncho. We've been having a nice storm almost every afternoon that cools things down. I've switched to a bagellini.

Looks like a fun time at Hampton Beach.

The vera isn't lined, annoyingly so! But I also have a bagellini and in 09 when we went in Sept/oct we had really bad rain and even that got soaked all the way through! So I figured we are bringing ponchos and our rain coats and we have a rain cover for the stroller, so I will just cover my VB.

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

So I cut out some foam mickey heads for decorations, not sure what I am going to do with them yet, I think i will use a green one for my DIS name to carry around! But I have a few more different colors too

I am working on getting DD's outfits all packed and put together, labeled for which day is what outfit.

I made out of Mousekeeping enevelopes and ones to carry the other cash in (bell services, ME driver, DD's forst hair cut) So everything will be set aside before we get there! (DH likes to "Spend" the extra cash he has and "forgets" where he spent it! So enevelopes won't give him extra cash!

I also started putting together our trip binder and printing our confirmations and such to put in the binder.

I ordered an extra camera battery for our camera and our camcorder along with disposible changing pads, take n toss cups, silverware and bowls for DD.

Still left to-do:
Finish buying a few "need" items like gum, deodorant, snacks for dd
Laundry and Packing (but can't till just before we leave)
Finish my to-do projects (DD's pirate hat, iron-on) window signs
Finish planning binder and 3x5 cards


*On a side note: I keep having dreams about running people over with our stroller at WDW How annoying those stroller people are So I am adding that to my "I refuse to do, at Disney" lol "I WILL NOT RUN INTO PEOPLE WITH MY STROLLER"

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

Mickey Mail We got our room-only luggage tags and ME info!

I think we should be getting another ME packet for our return leg and the regular paccket with info for of package stay and pretty luggage tags

Very happy! I also worked on consolidating my lists today! I'm not totally finished but made a lot of headway It's my fault for having 3 notebooks I scribble things down on when I think of them! I need one book for everything

 

[lovethattink]

Hurray for Mickey Mail!!

 

[jp'smommy]

Yay for Mickey Mail!!

I was so excited today to see we are below 40 days-39 to be exact!!

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

WOW I have been MIA for so long! I am still here I promise! I have been working hard trying to get things done for our trip. Got a nasty stomach bug a week or so back and it took 6 days to shake it! Feeling much better now.

We recieved the rest of our Mickey Mail. Is it just me or did the luggage tags make anyone else nauseous??? We did get a return ME package, with our bus tickets in them. (someone had posted on another thread that we wouldn't get them)

I totalled our Gift Cards and DV reward points we have $173 in reward pts, $125 in gift cards!

I ironed DH's shirts and my shirts and dresses, so I can pack them with less wrinkles but in the process I discovered one of DH's shirts had 2 holes in it and a thumb size grease stain on it I also found my favorite pink dress got a color run from something either black or blue in the wash and its all over the back of the dress... and another pink shirt got ruined by the iron, it got a burn mark on it, which was weird it was almost an instant mark So we are down a few items, maybe shopping this weekend?

I'm not too concerned about the weather this weekend, I think we are inland enough to not get the bad stuff, but I am praying for those that aren't so lucky. DH has family on the coast in Boston and NH .

I started changing up our plans again, since I added the Wishes Dessert Party, we moved the Whispering Canyon ADR to fri and I decided to make more room for DTD time so we are cutting out the Boardwalk and the Big river grille meal. We will hit Earl of Sandwich that night. But we decided to add Liberty Tree Tavern the night of Wishes Dessert Party, hopefully we won't eat too much. We haven't been there before so I am hoping it will be good.


Last weekend we had our rain date for our Six Flags day, DD LOVED the costume fox and bear, when right up to them and hugged them, gave them high fives! So I am not concerned one bit with the characters! She did the ferris wheel and dumbo style ride, loved the dumboish ride!

This weekend, we are packing, picking up diapers and snacks for the trip and little odds and ends, getting the errands done tomorrow just incase we get bad weather sunday. Then we have my BFF mom's 50th surprise birthday party Sat night. If it's nasty sun, I have time to DIS


On a side note: I plan on doing a brief trip report after the trip, basically a Pop century review and reviewing the tips and stuff from this for taking an 18mo old. and I plan on doing a food review. I found long trip report, while nice, take too long and I just don't have the time for it, so short and sweet it is! I hope you all follow along!

 

[moonpie85]

Hi! I just got caught up! So excited to hear how your trip goes!

We are going over Halloween with our 15 month old baby girl and have all the same anxieties as you do. I wanted to change from CSR to Pop to save some money but am concerned about crowded buses with the stroller especially. Are you worried?

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

Hi! I just got caught up! So excited to hear how your trip goes!

We are going over Halloween with our 15 month old baby girl and have all the same anxieties as you do. I wanted to change from CSR to Pop to save some money but am concerned about crowded buses with the stroller especially. Are you worried?

We are just hours over 10 days! I have been packing my butt off all weekend We had debated trying a mod this trip either CRB or CSR but we really love the themes at the values and we needed to save the money. I also liked that Pop is compact, I have heard CSR has A LOT of walking, so with a cranky, tired toddler we liked Pop better. I actually don't have any worries about the stroller. We have a Peg Perego SI, we love it, its light and has an umbrella fold. Its so quick and easy to fold and open and light weight. On our last trip we saw a lot of Dad's huddled into the back door standing area on the bus holding the strollers. If we were in seats forward facing, we could angle our knees inward and stand it almost between seats. If sitting sideways you can just keep it in front of you.

I will say, when we purchased our stroller, we did with WDW in mind! I can not imagin lugging a travel system onto the bus. but I have seen it done I really wouldn't worry, as long as there are two people, one to hold the baby and one to hold the stroller you'll be fine!

Also remember Pop has it own bus, so it doesn't share with the other resorts!

I'm putting a note about the stroller on the bus in my "info" section so I will remember to pay attention and post about it when we get back!

 

[lovethattink]

I ironed DH's shirts and my shirts and dresses, so I can pack them with less wrinkles but in the process I discovered one of DH's shirts had 2 holes in it and a thumb size grease stain on it I also found my favorite pink dress got a color run from something either black or blue in the wash and its all over the back of the dress... and another pink shirt got ruined by the iron, it got a burn mark on it, which was weird it was almost an instant mark So we are down a few items, maybe shopping this weekend?

I'm not too concerned about the weather this weekend, I think we are inland enough to not get the bad stuff, but I am praying for those that aren't so lucky. DH has family on the coast in Boston and NH .

I started changing up our plans again, since I added the Wishes Dessert Party, we moved the Whispering Canyon ADR to fri and I decided to make more room for DTD time so we are cutting out the Boardwalk and the Big river grille meal. We will hit Earl of Sandwich that night. But we decided to add Liberty Tree Tavern the night of Wishes Dessert Party, hopefully we won't eat too much. We haven't been there before so I am hoping it will be good.


Last weekend we had our rain date for our Six Flags day, DD LOVED the costume fox and bear, when right up to them and hugged them, gave them high fives! So I am not concerned one bit with the characters! She did the ferris wheel and dumbo style ride, loved the dumboish ride!

This weekend, we are packing, picking up diapers and snacks for the trip and little odds and ends, getting the errands done tomorrow just incase we get bad weather sunday. Then we have my BFF mom's 50th surprise birthday party Sat night. If it's nasty sun, I have time to DIS


On a side note: I plan on doing a brief trip report after the trip, basically a Pop century review and reviewing the tips and stuff from this for taking an 18mo old. and I plan on doing a food review. I found long trip report, while nice, take too long and I just don't have the time for it, so short and sweet it is! I hope you all follow along!

Look forward to the brief trip report! Pop is a fun resort! We love the 70's building, but I don't think too many people must care for that area. Every time I request it, we get it. I've requested other buildings in the past and never got them.

Hurray for the rain date at the park! That's great she loved the characters and rides. She is ready for Disney!!

Bummer about the clothing that had tears, stains and runs. We discovered a huge stain on DS's shirts while at the MK. Didn't notice it when I took it out of the dryer or folded it to go.

Your changes sound good!

We are just hours over 10 days! I have been packing my butt off all weekend We had debated trying a mod this trip either CRB or CSR but we really love the themes at the values and we needed to save the money. I also liked that Pop is compact, I have heard CSR has A LOT of walking, so with a cranky, tired toddler we liked Pop better. I actually don't have any worries about the stroller. We have a Peg Perego SI, we love it, its light and has an umbrella fold. Its so quick and easy to fold and open and light weight. On our last trip we saw a lot of Dad's huddled into the back door standing area on the bus holding the strollers. If we were in seats forward facing, we could angle our knees inward and stand it almost between seats. If sitting sideways you can just keep it in front of you.

I will say, when we purchased our stroller, we did with WDW in mind! I can not imagin lugging a travel system onto the bus. but I have seen it done I really wouldn't worry, as long as there are two people, one to hold the baby and one to hold the stroller you'll be fine!

Also remember Pop has it own bus, so it doesn't share with the other resorts!

I'm putting a note about the stroller on the bus in my "info" section so I will remember to pay attention and post about it when we get back!

We just got back from CSR this afternoon! I think each resort has it's own distinct charm. We are staying at Pop in Nov. I like the food court better at Pop. Anakin likes the baby pool better at POP, but the theme pool better at CSR (especially the water slide!!)

We have always needed a stroller for him. Now we use a medical one. I have never had problems with the stroller on the bus. The only trouble I've had with the bus was going solo with him and trying to get both him and the stroller off. People are so impatient, and it takes him a long time to go down steps. Going up he goes quickly. When dh or older ds is with us, the extra hand is soooo helpful and there's no problem.

Waiting for a bus has been a problem for us at one point or another for each resort we've stayed at. Seems whichever park we chose is the wrong choice. So we usually drive to avoid that. At POR the problem seemed to be waiting for a bus to pick us up at the resort. At CSR, the bus was too full and didn't stop. At POP, it's been every time we are waiting for a bus from MK back to POP, twice we've waiting an hour at the MK for a bus.

There's also been times where we made the wait longer ourselves. I wanted to make sure my youngest was sitting and not standing. If it was standing room only, we let people ahead of us so that we could get on the next bus and have him sit. While you would think people would be considerate enough to let elderly, people with babies or small children sit, that is not usually the case.

I'm sure you will have the best time at POP! You might want to make sure your dd has water shoes for the baby pool at Pop Century. There is a design around the outside of tile and it is very slippery. I have seen so many kids slip and fall from it.

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

Look forward to the brief trip report! Pop is a fun resort! We love the 70's building, but I don't think too many people must care for that area. Every time I request it, we get it. I've requested other buildings in the past and never got them.

Hurray for the rain date at the park! That's great she loved the characters and rides. She is ready for Disney!!

Bummer about the clothing that had tears, stains and runs. We discovered a huge stain on DS's shirts while at the MK. Didn't notice it when I took it out of the dryer or folded it to go.

Your changes sound good!



We just got back from CSR this afternoon! I think each resort has it's own distinct charm. We are staying at Pop in Nov. I like the food court better at Pop. Anakin likes the baby pool better at POP, but the theme pool better at CSR (especially the water slide!!)

We have always needed a stroller for him. Now we use a medical one. I have never had problems with the stroller on the bus. The only trouble I've had with the bus was going solo with him and trying to get both him and the stroller off. People are so impatient, and it takes him a long time to go down steps. Going up he goes quickly. When dh or older ds is with us, the extra hand is soooo helpful and there's no problem.

Waiting for a bus has been a problem for us at one point or another for each resort we've stayed at. Seems whichever park we chose is the wrong choice. So we usually drive to avoid that. At POR the problem seemed to be waiting for a bus to pick us up at the resort. At CSR, the bus was too full and didn't stop. At POP, it's been every time we are waiting for a bus from MK back to POP, twice we've waiting an hour at the MK for a bus.

There's also been times where we made the wait longer ourselves. I wanted to make sure my youngest was sitting and not standing. If it was standing room only, we let people ahead of us so that we could get on the next bus and have him sit. While you would think people would be considerate enough to let elderly, people with babies or small children sit, that is not usually the case.

I'm sure you will have the best time at POP! You might want to make sure your dd has water shoes for the baby pool at Pop Century. There is a design around the outside of tile and it is very slippery. I have seen so many kids slip and fall from it.

Glad to hear you haven't had any stroller/bus issues! And thats good to know about the POP pool! thank you. I was planning on bringing her water shoes and of course we wouldnt let her run around near the pool,but like.most toddlers her legs just cant keep up with her sometimes, so adding slippery pavement could led to a real mess!

I have been tracking LINES this week since the crowd calendar is showing 5 and under, similar to what our week is predicted to be and most waits are 10-20 minutes depending on time of day, excluding the main headlines like TSM, so I am hopeful we can get a lot done. My plan for our first day is to enter for our CP breakfast, get pictures of empty Main St and the castle, eat, then head to dumbo,finish the rest of Fantasyland, hit tomorrowland and finish that, then head up for dd's first hair cut! While on our way up we will grab a fp for mickey for after her haircut! Hopefully I'm not being over zealous!