Ride all the boats, meet all the characters - a first-timer's Jan '15 TR 7/28 updates and conclusion

[kaetra]

The picture with Ariel brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely, magical moment.

 

[RunnerMommyof4]

Oh Via Napoli looks yummy! Too many places to chose from and to little days Your photos helped build the excitement for DHS. That's one park I still haven't read much about yet.

 

[librarygeek]

Your breakfast at Chef Mickey's looks like fun! We didn't think the food was bad either - just not quite worth the price tag for us is all.

Mine Train is definitely a smoother ride than Barnstormer, but I think it's a little more intense - and BTMRR is definitely more intense, so perhaps he wouldn't have enjoyed it after all. You never know with kids sometimes!

I love your photopass shot outside of Under the Sea with Sebastian - but that pic with Ariel is absolutely amazing and precious! What a fantastic shot. It really looks like a perfect MK day.

I definitely approve of your son's growing love for Belle - she's my fave

 

[Vernie822]

Just found your report so I thought I'd join. I love all of the pictures of Grant - he is so cute and sooo excited in every single one!

Your Via Napoli lunch looks so delicious. We loved our meal there and I can't wait to go back! YUM.

 

[ashw100]

I love that Grant enjoyed TSMM. That's a favorite of our family. Its hard because it's really the only ride everyone can do (my boys are scared of GMR too). Its great that you got to meet all those characters while DH could enjoy some big rides. I am sorry you were discouraged by Grant's reactions to the scarier things. I do think that you did that right thing by switching things up to better suit him. He looks very happy so I can only imagine her enjoyed what you did.

 

[SarahDisney]

I'm with Grant on TSMM - it's my favorite! (or at least one of them). I really wish the line was shorter ... sad that you guys didn't get to ride a second time!

I love that picture of Grant in front of One Man's Dream!!!

All the pictures of Grant and the characters are great. He looks genuinely excited to meet every character!

I'm glad he loved Beauty and the Beast ... and Belle is awesome, so I definitely don't blame him for loving her!

I'm glad you guys liked Via Napoli so much ... it's always nice to end a good day with a great meal!

 

[ach222]

Hey Amy! I'm excited to catch up with your trip report! I'll comment as I go along

Woo Five Guys! We have one of those over here in London

I absolutely love seeing your photos of Riverside This was where I stayed every year as a kid, even back when it was called Dixie Landings and Jamie and I stayed there in 2012. I hope you loved it as much as we did That's great that they upgraded you to a preferred room!

Aww Grant looks so proud of the car he designed at Test Track! Adorable! And his character photos are so nice too. In fact, he just looks so happy in every picture!!

I'm so glad you made it out of Chef Mickeys in time to watch the Magic Kingdom Welcome Show! It's possibly my absolute favourite thing at WDW!

Hahah, I don't blame Grant for being weirded out by the Winnie the Pooh ride, it freaks me out too! As you said, super trippy!

"Fill our magic" - Aww!

I can't believe Jon was "bombarded by a bird" on your first full day !!! That is so unfortunate!! I hope he eventually saw the funny side

You got some great Festival of Fantasy photos! The blue sky behind the floats makes it look great!

Oh my goodness, the first photo of Grant and Ariel is PERFECT! That should definitely be printed out and framed! Love it!

This was such a great day! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to hear more

Whoa, you updated while I was still commenting !

I'm glad that Grant loved Toy Story Mania! That's cool that he has the Wii game!

Love the Baymax cupcake!

I haven't seen Voyage of the Little Mermaid since I was a kid, it looks like something I'd enjoy though! Maybe I'll do it next time?

I'm not surprised Grant didn't like the Great Movie Ride, parts of it scare me!!! The Alien area is real loud and dark, gave me the creeps!

Ooh! The slush from the France pavilion looks good!! I want to try more food and drinks from around World Showcase when I'm back in September, maybe I'll give this a try

I'm so glad you decided to eat at Via Napoli, it's one of my favourites too it's so much fun.

Great update!

Glad you are here and all caught up! We loved POR so much, think it will be hard for us to branch out and stay anywhere else!

I have to agree with you on the Great Movie Ride, I for sure understood the fear on that one!

Glad that Grant enjoyed TSMM - Must be cool for him to kinda see his Wii game come to life! That ride seems to always have a long line - I think it is because it is one of the few big rides there that are family friendly so everyone wants to go on it. They are supposed to add a 3rd track so hopefully that will help.

Bummer that Grant got scared at Indy - but that was great you were able to switch around your FP+ and seemed to work out with Jon getting to do ToT and RNRC while you and Grant met characters and saw VotLM. And also One Man's Dream - and I am right with Grant in that I love the models they have in there, especially the ones showing how some of the dark rides are set up

Wow, that Baymax cupcake looks really good. Is that bacon on it?

Glad you got to EPCOT/dinner in good time and that you enjoyed Via Napoli so much. That is definitely on my "must try" list.

I am hoping the 3rd track really helps out. We got him the wii game specifically so he'd know what he was doing on the ride lol!

The cupcake was so good, no bacon but I believe they were heath bar type pieces

The picture with Ariel brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely, magical moment.

Thanks, makes me a bit teary too

Oh Via Napoli looks yummy! Too many places to chose from and to little days Your photos helped build the excitement for DHS. That's one park I still haven't read much about yet.

I really liked DHS! I am excited to go back and just look around at the scenery a but more, and I loved the boat service to and from Epcot.

Your breakfast at Chef Mickey's looks like fun! We didn't think the food was bad either - just not quite worth the price tag for us is all.

Mine Train is definitely a smoother ride than Barnstormer, but I think it's a little more intense - and BTMRR is definitely more intense, so perhaps he wouldn't have enjoyed it after all. You never know with kids sometimes!

I love your photopass shot outside of Under the Sea with Sebastian - but that pic with Ariel is absolutely amazing and precious! What a fantastic shot. It really looks like a perfect MK day.

I definitely approve of your son's growing love for Belle - she's my fave

I think if we hadn't done the dining plan, we would have chosen a different character meal but since we had the discount on the plan it worked for us, definitely understand not wanting to pay their price for it!
Hoping next time we can try SDMT with him and that will give us a better idea of what he's up for. I wouldn't mind if he didn't want to do big rides but Jon would be bummed that another family member won't ride with him lol.

Just found your report so I thought I'd join. I love all of the pictures of Grant - he is so cute and sooo excited in every single one!

Your Via Napoli lunch looks so delicious. We loved our meal there and I can't wait to go back! YUM.

Welcome! Thanks for the comment on Grant, he was such a happy kiddo the whole trip, we lucked out.

I love that Grant enjoyed TSMM. That's a favorite of our family. Its hard because it's really the only ride everyone can do (my boys are scared of GMR too). Its great that you got to meet all those characters while DH could enjoy some big rides. I am sorry you were discouraged by Grant's reactions to the scarier things. I do think that you did that right thing by switching things up to better suit him. He looks very happy so I can only imagine her enjoyed what you did.

I was just so thrown off by him being scared of Indy I guess - that was really the only time I got too frustrated though and it has to happen at least once on vacation right?!

I'm with Grant on TSMM - it's my favorite! (or at least one of them). I really wish the line was shorter ... sad that you guys didn't get to ride a second time!

I love that picture of Grant in front of One Man's Dream!!!

All the pictures of Grant and the characters are great. He looks genuinely excited to meet every character!

I'm glad he loved Beauty and the Beast ... and Belle is awesome, so I definitely don't blame him for loving her!

I'm glad you guys liked Via Napoli so much ... it's always nice to end a good day with a great meal!

I loved TSMM too, hoping the 3rd track helps the lines, or they get some new rides to disperse the crowds. He was up for meeting and and all the characters, even if he didn't really know them - I loved that.

 

[ursalita]

I'm sorry you had bad luck with the busses to HS but at least you made your FP time.

I understand the frustration with them not liking the rides. My boys don't like the coasters or Splash Mountain but I'm hoping some day they'll grow out of it. It's awesome that he enjoyed the meets so much. He looks so happy!

Maybe next time you go he will enjoy One Man's Dream. My boys loved it last trip, they adore Oswald now.

Via Napoli sounds so good!

 

[james_k_p]

Really enjoying your TR. I haven't read one in a few years (when I was a regular at the now defunct TGMike). We've been every year since '07 during Mardi Gras, but have to skip this year for financial reasons, so here I am to get my fill. Great pics and trip details. It's so nice to see a family like yours have such great fun. My 2 boys are now way grown, but so much of your trip (fun and fears of rides) takes me back to those early trips of ours. Thanks.

As I sit here fully caught up on your trip, while listening to magicalmouseradio...I look forward to your next update .

 

[ach222]

I'm sorry you had bad luck with the busses to HS but at least you made your FP time.

I understand the frustration with them not liking the rides. My boys don't like the coasters or Splash Mountain but I'm hoping some day they'll grow out of it. It's awesome that he enjoyed the meets so much. He looks so happy!

Maybe next time you go he will enjoy One Man's Dream. My boys loved it last trip, they adore Oswald now.

Via Napoli sounds so good!

We had such great luck with the busses the rest of the trip that I can't complain about that one too much, just very glad we made that FP!

Really enjoying your TR. I haven't read one in a few years (when I was a regular at the now defunct TGMike). We've been every year since '07 during Mardi Gras, but have to skip this year for financial reasons, so here I am to get my fill. Great pics and trip details. It's so nice to see a family like yours have such great fun. My 2 boys are now way grown, but so much of your trip (fun and fears of rides) takes me back to those early trips of ours. Thanks.

As I sit here fully caught up on your trip, while listening to magicalmouseradio...I look forward to your next update .

I'm so glad you came back to get your Disney fix! Welcome! I'm glad our trip can bring back fond memories, we have 2 boys as well, I look forward to taking them to WDW together soon!

 

[DisMom1981]

I am impressed by the full days with no breaks. What troopers! Love all the photos!

 

[Sharpdisney]

Really enjoyin your TR. Thanks for taking the time to post.

 

[ach222]

I am impressed by the full days with no breaks. What troopers! Love all the photos!

I tell ya, our feet were feeling it everyday haha! But yes, G was a total trooper, I couldn't stand the thought of taking breaks!

Really enjoyin your TR. Thanks for taking the time to post.

Welcome and thanks for reading along!

 

[ach222]

Wednesday - Epcot Part 1

Wed morning we were up and going a bit earlier than Tuesday, and after breakfast in our room we caught a bus to EPCOT. We managed to make it to rope drop and had a full day ahead! Grant immediately wanted his picture taken by the water.

We had no plans until our FPs began so we wandered into Innoventions and G and Jon went through the fire house.

After that, since we know Grant loves a good boat ride, we headed for Livin with the Land

Here's a picture of the whopping 0 min wait time

We all really enjoyed this - Grant was very interested in all of the plants/creatures and I think I may try and fit Garden Grill into my future plans so he can see how it all works together. And perhaps the tour they do in that area as well.
We headed over to Figment, who was totally my favorite as a kid, and there was no line there either. The darkness and air blasts made this one one of Grant's least favorites, but he was a fan of the games outside so all was not lost.

We had FPs for Nemo and Friends next so we headed for The Seas. This was a cute ride and Grant liked it - so score!

We hung out in the waiting room for Turtle Talk with Crush and played around a bit

Turtle Talk was as cute as everyone said it would be - I'm not sure where all the people came from though, felt like everyone in the park was pushing their way into that theatre! Grant wasn't called on but I think he was a-ok with that. Something we would do again for sure. We hung around looking at the aquariums for a while, we didn't get to all of that section and we have more to explore there next time.

We headed back to The Land to use our FPs for Soarin' next. I was a bit nervous about this for both Grant and myself, but luckily we ended up in the third row and I was able to convince Grant it was like being in an IMAX. The only part he didn't like was the end where it feels like the firework is exploding at you. He said he liked it and would even ride it again (which proved true) so we were excited.

Sorry for the pretty picture free morning, but it was fun and laid back - no rushing. We headed over the Mexico for an early lunch at the Counter Service on the water. I had nachos, which were not that great but did the job.

The churros that came with the meal were pretty decent though! Jon had a beef taco dish of some sort that he thought was pretty good.

We crossed the sidewalk and headed back to Grant's favorite.

And then, after much anticipation, I finally acquired my avocado margarita!

So yummy! Will definitely get this one again - loved the salt (sugar?) rim as well. We wandered through the Mexico pavilion and came across a man doing glass work - Grant was engrossed by this.

We shopped a bit

and purchased a kid passport for Grant to get stamped at all of the countries - this was such a great activity, G had so much fun finding all of the stations and talking to the CMs

I'll stop here for now but can't wait to show you all of the 'around the World' pics as well as some amazing character meets!

 

[PrincessFelisha]

Enjoying your report! Grant is adorable and your report is making me excited to one day take my little boy to WDW! He's only 6 months so we have a while yet!

 

[SarahDisney]

Sounds like a great morning at Epcot! I totally don't blame Grant for not liking Figment (there are parts of Figment that scare me too) and I'm so glad he liked Soarin' enough to do it again!

Avocado margarita looks delicious ... I'm glad to hear you enjoyed!

 

[RunnerMommyof4]

Awesome I will have to remember the Passport thing!

 

[princessbelle2015]

I am so happy thar Grant liked soarin'.

 

[ach222]

Enjoying your report! Grant is adorable and your report is making me excited to one day take my little boy to WDW! He's only 6 months so we have a while yet!

Thanks so much! I have a 10 month old and can't wait until he's old enough to 'get it' like Grant does. I have to say, 5 was a magical age.

Sounds like a great morning at Epcot! I totally don't blame Grant for not liking Figment (there are parts of Figment that scare me too) and I'm so glad he liked Soarin' enough to do it again!

Avocado margarita looks delicious ... I'm glad to hear you enjoyed!

I can see why he didn't like Figment I was surprised that it was a bit spooky. So delicious!

Awesome I will have to remember the Passport thing!

It made G much happier to wander around in the countries and the stickers kept him occupied at dinner

I am so happy thar Grant liked soarin'.

I was pretty excited!

 

[ach222]

Wednesday - Part 2

After our time in Mexico, we were off on a 2 part mission : to meet a bunch of characters and fill up Grant's passport!

Stop 1 was Norway which was lovely. I asked the CM if they were tired of all of the Frozen stuff and that got a BIG resounding 'yes' haha

Oh, as you can see, the passport also comes with a button which says 'Epcot' and has all of the different flags on it, Grant loves a good button.

On to China ...

And then Germany ... I love these ears

We took a little break to wait for Snow White to come out and meet her fans. She was sweet, I adore Snow White so I enjoyed watching G meet her.

Grant then spent a good long while obsessing over the model train set up. My dad has a large electric train set up for Grant at home and this was just on a whole other level, he was sure 'pop-pop' would have loved it!

Jon and I took a quick seat in Italy while G got his passport signed and we watched a bit of a flag/drum performance.

I apparently took no pictures in American (and honestly the more countries we hit, the worse I was about getting pics)

Japan! So as we went into the Japan pavilion, I was wondering why the store area was so congested, then it hit me. Pick a Pearl! This was something I had always planned on doing but it had totally slipped my mind that day. So we got in line and had a blast watching the people in front of us. Being a good Diser, I told Grant to pick the hairiest/ugliest ones he could find. I let him get 2 (one for me and one for my mom). The guy doing the opening was terrific and I was slightly sad when they switched out right before us but our woman was incredible as well. This was really fun. Grant got a blue pearl and she made a huge deal out of that and then he got a decent sized normal pearl, he was thrilled.

After a ridiculously long search, we found the CM with the passport stamp and then moved on to Morocco.

In France, we decided to take a snack break and sit by the water. Grant saw Belle and insisted we meet her in her blue dress (future Dis-er in the making eh?) but she took a break as we were finishing up (no worries we come back).

I really wanted to go into the bakery or ice cream shop but the carts are just right there and so convenient. This was probably a bad call as our crepes were pretty blah. Next time I'll power through! Grant got ice cream and it was really good.

We had a lovely view of the water...

I'll break here - continued in next post.