Rocketship Sandwich - NOW W/ PICS! - I'm learning - UPDATE 12/5

[lighttech]

OK, so this is the start of my very first trip report. I'm not going to add much right now, but I wanted to commit to it with a title and a post before it got too late.

First of all, the title. The trip was 5 days (4 in the parks) for me, DH and DS 2.5. When I got the suitcases out, my son promptly plopped himself inside, with some of his play food for supplies, "buckled" himself in with the clothes straps and announced he was riding in his "Rocketship." He was SO sad, when I had to empty out his toys to put in clothes.

Then, on the way home, on the plane, he kept saying "Are we in the air yet? BLAST OFF!!!"

Hence, a "Rocketship Sandwich."

OK, well, its off to bed to nurse my post-travel cold, but I promise I'll be back w/ all the gritty details...

 

[lighttech]

Here's DS stocked up and ready to go in his "Rocketship." He was disappointed when I had to clean out all his supplies, but once he knew it was for Disney, he perked right up.

He "helped" me pack quite a bit. He put all my socks in a baggie for me when I said I needed them packed up for our trip (a safe task to give him), and then he kept pulling them out of my suitcase and saying "Here Mommy, you need these for Disneyworld!" I think he thought if I had my socks, we could leave.

 

[Philadisney]

I'm excited to read your report - it definitely has the best trip report title i've ever seen your son is so cute!

 

[MagiKitty]

Your son is so adorable! I'm glad you got those pics of him in the luggage--those are keepers!

Great first step! Good job on the pictures and the link! Looking forward to the rest of your TR.

 

[lighttech]

Thanks! I'll be adding more soon. I'm just so excited that 2 people have already checked in!!

 

[snowwhite325]

Your son is so cute I can't wait to hear all about your trip

 

[Praise2Him]

Love it so far. Kids have such great imaginations! He's a real cutie!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

very cute so far, looking forward to more.

 

[magsnden]

Great job so far!! i'm subscribing now, can't wait to read more!
what a cutie, your son, in his adorable little jammies!!

p.s. i hope you get a couple more posts in before i leave on sunday morning, like a tip on how to get those dream you know whats!!(didn't want to spoil it for anyone!)

 

[Shmu]

Followed over from Thread Killers. Here to support. Love the pics. Can't wait to hear more. I'm subscribing.

 

[lighttech]

So, the trip was 5 nights at WDW staying at All Star Sports (our first time on Disney property .) 4 days in the park with Park Hopper passes. A night at MVMCP . And 3 ADRs for character meals. Then we transferred to Downtown Orlando for a convention for my work. I would be working for 2 days while DS and DH hung out w/ an old friend who now lives in Orlando and relaxed.

As much as I didn't want to end our vacation with work, it was really that convention that made the whole trip happen (my flight was paid for, it happened the same week our babysitter was on vacation, and DH only gets 1 week of vacation... which he would have to use to stay home with DS, so the stars aligned and off we went.)

I have a few tips I picked up either from here on the boards, or on my way. I'll try to highlight those as I go. Maybe it will make someone else's life a little easier.

So, have fun reading! I know I'm having fun typing.

 

[lighttech]

Trying to get luggage, stroller, carseat, toddler, carryons, etc. was definitely a challenge. Especially when my suitcase wound up being 1 lb. overweight . I had to remove a pair of boots and put them in my carryon. Oops.

TIP: We decided to take a stroller and gate check. Rather than buy a stroller travel bag, I picked up a canvas laundry bag at Walmart for about $5. I let DS color on it with marker (which he loved). The carry strap made it easy, and the coloring made it immediately noticeable. (Just double check that your stroller fits inside.)

The flight to Orlando (security troubles notwithstanding) was fairly uneventful. It was DSs first flight, so he was pretty excited. As we took off and started looking at the tiny houses and cars, DS exclaimed "Ay yi yi... Can you believe it!?!?!" Sometimes I think he's an 80yr old trapped in a 2 yr olds body.

TIP: If you are traveling out of Philadelphia, separate everything! We did not realize that even the digital cameras would have to come out of the carry-ons and go thru in their own gray bin. Also, our ziplocs of carryon liquids had to be separated.

TIP: Check airline guidelines. We found out that if you are traveling with an infant or small child, there are some allowances for liquids like a sealed juice box or formula.

Getting off the plane was relatively a breeze. If you have the opportunity to use ME, DO IT!! Having our bags magically appear in our room later that night w/o us having to get them from baggage claim was great. Plus, the ME bus ride was fun and our driver was entertaining. It made it feel like our vacation started as soon as we landed at MCO.

 

[Shmu]

All Star Sports was our first onsite stay also. That was back in 2000. We are so thankful for the value resorts. My DH won't stay off property now. Loves being on property. I am curious of how MVMCP went. Debating if we are going to purchase an extra ticket for that next year or not. I'll be tuning in.

 

[lighttech]

After a great ride on ME where the bus driver let DS play with an old microphone since he liked the driver's so much, and where I was thoroughly embarassed by being asked to sing all the verses of Its a Small World in order for All Star Sports to not be the end of the line (I failed miserably, but gave a noble attempt if I do say so myself), we checked in. DS was given a welcome pack with crayons and a 1st Visit pin. We were upgraded to a preferred room. (Sports is so compact, I didn't really have a preference, but it was a nice start none-the-less.) We wound up moving rooms b/c our 1st floor room had apparently had a minor flood, and the carpet was soaked. Front Desk handled this beautifully, and moved us immediately. The room was small, but nice. It had been refurb'd, and the new furniture was very cute. Sorry, we filled the room up w/ so much stuff, I didn't get any good room shots.

After a long day of cars, shuttles, planes and buses, DS needed to burn off some energy. We took him out to the football field btw the Touchdown buildings, and he ran and ran (and ran.) I wasn't sure he'd stop for dinner.

Ds looks so tiny here

We then headed to DTD. Stopped at House of Blues for a "Mommy and Daddy drink" and to meet an old friend. It was SO good to see him. Parts of the art festival were there, and there was live music, so we sat outside and DS had a blast. I was starving, but it was too early for dinner. I accosted a kid next to us who had the most delicious looking food. He rec'd the empanadas from Bongos, and I do TOO! YUM.

Tip: The line is long at Bongos window service, but its SO worth it. All the food was delicious, and the empanadas are only $1.25 each and the ham croquettes are only 75cents each! Such a deal.

Afterwards, we wandered the art booths, and went back to the shops. We did the fill a box w/ Mr. Potato Head parts ($19, and made DS feel like he had the run of the place grabbing handfuls of toys to fill it up w/. Just watch the little ones... w/o moderating, we had a TON of eyes and left arms. Mom and Dad had to balance things out a bit... we still came home w/ only 1 pair of feet. ) DS also got to pick one "soft friend" to sleep w/ while on vacation, and picked Sully.

We visited the lego store and some others and picked up some little things for the folks back home. (Boy did I LOVE saying "charge it to the room, and please send the packages back to the hotel... I could get used to this. ). DS burned off some steam at the little playground outside the lego store, and then we headed for dinner at Raglans.

Raglans had EXCELLENT food, and is on the DDP. DS announced "Mmmm. This is REALLY good." when he got his Mac-n-Cheese. I tasted it, and it was! Not your ordinary blue box noodles. Then he got ice cream for dessert, and watched our waiter every step of the way. (We were eating on their patio.) At one point he clapped his hands and bounced in his chair and yelled: "That man is getting my ICE CREAM!" Much to the amusement of the college kids next to us.

Here's DS enjoying a lip-smacking desert.

Back to the hotel and to sleep for DS. DH and I sat just outside the room w/ the door propped open while he settled in. Then we said goodbye to our friend and turned in ourselves. (There was actually an extended, unfortunate incident w/ dirty sheets and poor Mousekeeping, but I won't delve into the gory details... this post is long enough. And, in the end, we got a short, but good nights rest.)

Tip: We were concerned about sharing a room w/ DS and having him sleep well. He has a small tent, and we purchased a Ready Bed for toddlers that has built in bolsters on the side of the inflatable mattress. This gave him enough of a private feeling that he settled in even on nights we didn't douse the lights and head outside the door. The bolsters only do so much though, so be careful if your little ones are truly little.

OK, thanks for reading... more tomorrow when we get to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Enjoying your trippie. And your kid in the pyjamas and suitcase - surely a future Imagineer.

 

[Shmu]

Loving the report. I love the big Coca Cola at All Star Sports. Have a pic of DH in front of that in my PTR. Cold, wet and dreary here in the South (that is a blessing though since we are in a drought) I have been looking at TR's to help keep me warm. Thanks for sharing.

 

[lighttech]

Loving the report. I love the big Coca Cola at All Star Sports. Have a pic of DH in front of that in my PTR. Cold, wet and dreary here in the South (that is a blessing though since we are in a drought) I have been looking at TR's to help keep me warm. Thanks for sharing.

Must be on the same wavelength today. I think I was reading your PTR while you were checking in on my TR. I just posted over at "Rumbly in my Tumbly."

 

[whgrn]

I'm loving your TR!!! Your son is absolutely precious! I look forward to reading more of his antics!

Wendy in NJ
Check out my TR at www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1638072

 

[lighttech]

Got up early (as always with my little man.) DS popped out the bottom of his pop-up tent w/o even unzippering and exclaimed in his Captain Obvious nature "I popped out of my tent!" Then he climbed up in the "big bed" w/ me and DH and we put on some toons. Playhouse Disney of course!

After a little tired rummaging thru luggage, we headed to the food court, bought our souvenier mugs and got on the bus for our first ever Rope Drop at any Disney park. Magic Kingdom, here we come!

 

[lighttech]

Arrived at MK via bus at around 8:30. DS loved the bus, and I loved the fairly short commute. (This was our first time on property.)

I had no idea what to expect from a "Rope Drop." I definitely recommend it. It just started our trip off right with that little bit of extra Disney magic. And, the anticipation and excitement in the crowd was great too.

Here's the train pulling into the station, loaded up w/ all our favorite friends.

The MH confetti at the end fascinated DS. We were slower than expected getting into the park b/c he decided to collect the tiny pieces on the way in! Already, we were learning that Disney w/ a toddler was going to be WAY diff't than our normal commando vacation style.

We headed over to frontierland first, so we could get over to Tom Sawyer's Island to hunt for paintbrushes. We didn't realize it didn't open for another hour . But, it all worked out as we found a VERY nice CM and introduced her to DS. We wanted to show him her nametag and shirt so he would know who to talk to if he (God forbid) couldn't find us. (Up till now, we've always told him to only go w/ policemen/women.) She was great, spent some time w/ us, and even gave DS a sticker and a little card about Big Thunder Mtn. There was no wait for that ride, so DH and I used our first Rider Switch and took turns.

Still had about 1/2 hr till TSI, so we went over to Adventureland and DS got to ride his first ride Aladdin's Carpets. He LOVED it!!! And, we realized the challenge of explaining to a 2 1/2 yr old that it was o.k. to leave what he thought was the "funnest" thing ever b/c there was so much more fun to be had.

Took the ride over to TSI, and, found a paintbrush!!! Too cool. DS liked playing w/ the brush and pretending to paint, and loved running around the island. After a bit, we hopped on the skiff back and showed off our find to the boat driver. He directed us to the back of the shed in the loading area. We didn't think this was odd as we had heard we would get a certificate, until he asked the other couple on the skiff to accompany us. As we rounded the corner... lo and behold... THE DREAM TEAM!!

To Be Continued...