So this is how parents relax at Disney! A June 8th-16th report.

[SnowWhite607]

Ah, I remember the days of riding the bus back to the resort with a sleeping (heavy) child on my lap! LOL!

Wishes dessert buffet sounds like FUN! One year we were staying at the Polynesian so we left about 9 and hightailed it back to the resort and watched Wishes from the beach. THAT was fun - and no crowds!

 

[NYDIS]

Love your tr so far and your kids are adorable. My daughter is grown now but I can still remember those sleeping on me moments! Sounds like you had a great time.

 

[amazingact21]

Whew, that sounds like a long bus ride back to Pop. I've never been to WDW with children before, but I know going with just adults is very relaxing. DF and I normally find plenty of time to sit back and sight-see at the parks. So reading about how hectic it is with kids make me appreciate my trips. I can only imagine how crazy it must be for you and Kenny.
And I have never tried Casey's Corner before, because it always looks packed! I wish it had been easier for you and your family, especially since that was just meant to be a quick pit stop.

 

[Disneychix]

What a long night! As horrible as having 2 sleeping kids on your lap in a hot crowded bus is it was very nice that the person let you have a seat. I couldn't imagine if you had to stand with them the whole trip back to the resort.

I don't do the Speedway either. That IS totally a daddy/kiddie ride!

We have been to WDW/US a couple times leaving the kids (well Kid at the time) home. I felt sad at first but the break was greatly needed. And my DS LOVES being with his grandparents so he gets a treat too!

 

[TeresaG]

Ah, I remember the days of riding the bus back to the resort with a sleeping (heavy) child on my lap! LOL!

Wishes dessert buffet sounds like FUN! One year we were staying at the Polynesian so we left about 9 and hightailed it back to the resort and watched Wishes from the beach. THAT was fun - and no crowds!

I've heard watching Wishes from the Poly beach is really cool. One day I hope to do it. Was it crowded? Are there a lot of people who go there to watch it?

Love your tr so far and your kids are adorable. My daughter is grown now but I can still remember those sleeping on me moments! Sounds like you had a great time.

Thank you and

Whew, that sounds like a long bus ride back to Pop. I've never been to WDW with children before, but I know going with just adults is very relaxing. DF and I normally find plenty of time to sit back and sight-see at the parks. So reading about how hectic it is with kids make me appreciate my trips. I can only imagine how crazy it must be for you and Kenny.
And I have never tried Casey's Corner before, because it always looks packed! I wish it had been easier for you and your family, especially since that was just meant to be a quick pit stop.

As crazy and hectic as I make it sound, it's magical to go with your kids.

Casey's is ALWAYS packed. It's nuts.

What a long night! As horrible as having 2 sleeping kids on your lap in a hot crowded bus is it was very nice that the person let you have a seat. I couldn't imagine if you had to stand with them the whole trip back to the resort.

I don't do the Speedway either. That IS totally a daddy/kiddie ride!

We have been to WDW/US a couple times leaving the kids (well Kid at the time) home. I felt sad at first but the break was greatly needed. And my DS LOVES being with his grandparents so he gets a treat too!

I was incredibly grateful that someone gave up their seat for me, especially because it was 11:30pm and they obviously had to have had a long day as well. I was more worried about Alex having to stand; I would have been ok standing and holding Maddie KWIM? It all worked out though. Even if it was super hard at the time.

I really hope one day to go without the kids. I imagine it would be so relaxing

 

[pooksma]

I don't do the Speedway either. That IS totally a daddy/kiddie ride!

Amen!

 

[declansdad]

I don't do the Speedway either. That IS totally a daddy/kiddie ride!

Amen!

Hey there is nothing like getting bounced off that rail every ten feet while sucking in all the lovely fumes.

 

[TeresaG]

After our exhausting full day and night at MK I would have loved to let the kids sleep in (or as much sleeping in as would be allowed by princess Maddie) as much as possible before waking them for AK, but we had ADR's for Tusker House at 9:25 which meant we had to be up and out and at AK pretty early.

We didn't need to set an alarm because I knew I would be up in time. When 7:15am hit I woke up Kenny and we started getting ready. We were really quick to get ready and I figured the noise we made would wake the kids so I wouldn't have to.

Figures the morning we needed to be somewhere early the kids were sleeping like the dead. I finally shook Alex awake and Kenny set to getting him ready while I worked on Maddie. Eventually she lifted her head and shot me a really nasty look which could only translate as something the Disboards censors, but could also be interpreted as 'what the heck mommy?' Explaining why I was bothering her was no help so I just flipped her over, changed her diaper and dressed her in record time. Eventually all of us were ready to go and we hit the bus line.

Getting to AK was really easy. There were two buses being filled so we didn't even have to wait. The kids were still sleepy and were practically falling asleep on the bus ride. Alex started mumbling about being hungry and wanting to eat. I reminded him we were going to eat with Mickey and he seemed to be appeased with that answer.

We missed rope drop by minutes which was SO shocking to me. I thought for sure not only would we miss rope drop but we would probably even be late for our morning ADR. I was wrong. In fact, we had enough time to hightail it into Asia and get FP's for EE. Kenny LOVES this coaster. I'm alright with it. It's definitely not one of my favorites, but it's ok. I'm more a constant movement rollercoaster gal. I'm not big on stopping and I like big (huge) drops. EE is fun, but I'll usually pass on riding it when it's just the two of us if the kids are being too cranky. But I'll always encourage Kenny to ride since he's just starting to like rollercoasters and I hope the more exposure he gets to them the more likely he is to ride other ones with me.

The obligatory shot in front of the Tree of Life. One day I'll actually be IN one of these pictures.

There are so many cool things to take pictures of in AK. One day I'll go and actually have time to frame and shoot all the shots I'd like to take and not have to do it while flying by.

As we walked into Asia I snapped some really cool pics.

The early morning light was pretty cool and even though technically I overexposed this shot, I think the effect is pretty neat.

We were actually 5mins EARLY to our ADR, which for my family is a miracle. We checked in and were told it would be a couple minutes. Kenny and I were walking away to park the stroller when the beeper started blinking. We looked at each other like "whoa, that was fast!" and Kenny ran over to stash the stroller while I turned around and showed the girls I had JUST spoke to that our beeper was going off. They laughed at how fast it went off and we waited for Kenny to come back. It was Tusker House time!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Cute TR! I'm loving the mommy honesty! Subbing!

 

[SnowWhite607]

No, fireworks on the Poly beach were not crowded when we were there. Maybe us and one or 2 other families. Cant wait to read about Tusker House - we have never been there!

 

[TeresaG]

Cute TR! I'm loving the mommy honesty! Subbing!

Hi and !! I am nothing if not honest. Not to say I don't adore my children, of course, but we're not all peaches and sunshine all the time.

No, fireworks on the Poly beach were not crowded when we were there. Maybe us and one or 2 other families. Cant wait to read about Tusker House - we have never been there!

I'm have to check it out next time! It sounds really nice. We love Tusker House and try to go each time we go to AK.

 

[TeresaG]

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[PirateKate]

I always sort of wish they hadn't made Fantasmic so scary. The effects of the show are pretty neat and the music is fun, but that whole villains segment with all the screaming children around me seems unnecessary.

I didn't realize that the Wishes Dessert Party didn't have high chairs. I was considering taking the boys on our next trip, but it wouldn't be much fun without high chairs. Maybe when they're older.

Love the pictures from AK! It's such a beautiful park.

 

[TeresaG]

I always sort of wish they hadn't made Fantasmic so scary. The effects of the show are pretty neat and the music is fun, but that whole villains segment with all the screaming children around me seems unnecessary.

I didn't realize that the Wishes Dessert Party didn't have high chairs. I was considering taking the boys on our next trip, but it wouldn't be much fun without high chairs. Maybe when they're older.

Love the pictures from AK! It's such a beautiful park.

Yea, I don't understand why it's necessary to scare the crap out of all the little kids during Fantasmic. I wish there was a warning or something.

I am pretty sure there were high chairs, but Maddie is getting to that age where she doesn't want to sit in one because Alex doesn't. Not to mention when were were shown to our table it all felt a little rushed and we didn't have time to ask for one. I'm sure if I had insisted it wouldn't have been a problem but I let it go for that night.

 

[TeresaG]

We headed back to take our picture with Donald. Maddie instantly said "No want it!" but since I was holding her she wasn't as upset as usual. I think by now she was getting used to these crazy huge characters. We got our picture taken with Donald and I asked someone to take a picture with my camera too.

After pictures we were shown to our table.

I love Tusker House. I'm generally not a breakfast eater (just not hungry in the morning -never have been), but breakfast here is worth it to me. The theme inside is so cool and the food is always good. We sat down at the table and our waiter came right over. He brought us welcome juice and asked if we wanted anything else to drink. I ordered milk for Alex and copious amounts of coffee for Kenny and I. I felt like I needed an IV drip of caffeine this morning so the more the better.

There were no characters to be seen so I headed off to the buffet to get the kids their breakfast. The kids are funny about breakfast, they are both opposites in what they like. Alex is not a fan of eggs but loves waffles/pancakes/french toast. Maddie LOVES eggs. She hasn't found an egg she doesn't like. She is ok with waffles/pancakes/french toast but won't eat as much of them. This is why buffets are great for breakfast; I hate being a short order cook after all.

I grabbed Maddie a ham quiche and a veggie quiche with some sausage and a Mickey Waffle (figuring maybe shaped like Mickey would make her eat it). For Alex I loaded him up with Mickey waffles, sausage patties and a little drop of scrambled eggs.

The kids started eating immediately, but then the Big Cheese walked into the room and all eating was forgotten. Both of them were practically jumping out of their seats. We've done this song and dance with Maddie so I didn't read too much into it. I told Alex to make sure his book was open to the right page and we waited.

As Mickey neared Maddie started getting a little antsy.

I think she really WANTS to like the characters, but is just freaked out by their size. However, this was MICKEY! The Big Cheese! The Head Honcho! This is HIS house! How scary could he really be??

Mickey made it over to our table and the interaction was really wonderful. He gave Alex a big hug, signed the book, hugged Alex for a cool picture and then went over to the timid princess and tried to interact with her. Maddie was sorta stunned silent. Her urge to yell was squashed by the fact that this was MICKEY. Mickey crouched down by her highchair and waved. Maddie backed away a little. Then Mickey just looked at her and started twitching his nose. No joke. Did you know Mickey's nose moved? I didn't. Neither did Maddie. She got a real kick out of that. After that she was ok with Mickey and gave him a high five and blew him a kiss. She was smitten. I was thrilled Mickey took the time to engage her rather than move on because she was scared.

Check out Maddie's face. lol

Mickey's nose was moving. Really.

She's starting to be won over.

He kept at it, playing peekaboo

And then blowing her a kiss

Maddie had found her man. She kept an eye on him the whole time he was in the room and got a little upset when he left. Of course, then she spotted Goofy and her attention snapped back into worry. Now, I don't blame her for being scared of Goofy.

Have you noticed how TALL he is??? The height difference between him and Alex is so funny.

Thankfully Goofy crouched down for an easier picture -I couldn't fit him in my fame otherwise.

Maddie was quietly watching, but had no interest in interacting with "Goosey" outside of just watching him. Goofy gave her a wave and Maddie flinched like he was going to throw a grenade at her. She was very interested in watching him, but didn't want him getting to close.

After Goofy it was Daisy time. Maddie was yelling "Daisy! Daisy!" and smiled when she Daisy come up to the table.

That was the extent of the interaction Maddie wanted. Hey, it was an improvement from last year.

After Daisy we ate some more and then I brought each kid back to the restroom to make sure we were all ready for a busy day in the park. As we were leaving Mickey walked by and disappeared behind the "cast member" door. Maddie about had a heart attack. She was asking for "Mickey! Mickey mommy! Peeease!" so we hung around waiting for him to come back out so she could see him again and wave. A couple minutes later Mickey reappeared and gave Maddie a wave and high five. Maddie gave me a look that said "Mickey SO is my man." and we headed back to our table.

 

[jc040404]

Awww.. Maddie sounds so sweet with Mickey! I did not know his nose moved. You just gave me something to check out for next time. That's awesome!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Thank you for that post on Tusker House. We are going for the first time next month and I was a little worried because it's our only character meal of the entire trip! I'm not usually a big breakfast eater either but you have me intrigued now Great pictures too

 

[DisneyLindsay]

Great TR!! I have subscribed! I love TR's of parents with small children. I can totally relate! In sept when we go, we will have our 3children with us the oldest 4 and youngest 15 months at the time of travel. I will also be 5 months pregnant with our 4th baby. Thanks so much for all of the pics! I absolutely love seeing what you are speaking of, even if i can picture it in my mind, the pics make it amazing! Keep up the good work!!

 

[amazingact21]

Glad your Tusker House breakfast went well. I laughed at how smitten Maddie was with Mickey Mouse. Who could blame her, though. He is Mickey Mouse, after all. Can't wait to see how your day went!

 

[okw19]

Such a cute story about Mickey! I had no idea that he could wiggle his nose!