Springtime is Disney Time - A March 2016 PTR Updated 3/7

[amazingact21]

Wow, I’ve really neglected this poor Pre-Trip Report, lately, haven’t I? I guess I’ve been so busy trying to get my February TR written that I’ve just plain forgotten to update this one.




It doesn’t help that my mom and I consider changing the plans once a week. Already, my Day 1 update is wrong. My mom found out that Jungle Cruise will be down every day of her trip except for the 29th, so she now wants to head into the MK that evening and ride it one time.




Also, my son is now in love with Donald Duck.


I have no idea how it happened. One day he picked up his little Donald plush and wouldn’t put it down. He has to go to bed with it every night. If Donald’s on his shirt he has to point it out to everyone, strangers included.




And it might me Mickey Mouse’s Clubhouse, but Donald’s the main event.






I have no problem with this newly sprouted Duck love, but I am concerned at what’s going to happen when I take Landon to the character spot in Epcot and he gets to see everyone BUT Donald.




I forsee me having to make the trek to the Mexico pavilion to rectify my poor mom planning.






Yeesh.








But, on to the plans that I haven’t messed up. Yet.






March 1st:






This day.






I worked my tail off to get our dinner reservation for the night. For the first time ever, I had to practically stalk the dining page of MDE. If I was feeding Evie, I’d log on and look at available reservations. If I was waiting for Landon during his therapy sessions, I was on MDE. If both kids were asleep, I was scrolling through restaurants.




So when a 6:55 pm dinner opened up at my mom’s and Alex’s favorite restaurant, I nabbed it. Hated the time, but it was better than nothing.


Then a week later, a 5:15 showed up in the system.




Hot dog!






I won’t lie, though, I’m kind of over Disney dining because of how much flipping work I had to do to get all these reservations. Makes me a huge proponent of shorter ADR windows. (Would 60 days really make life harder for Disney?)








All right, now that my tiny rant over food is over, let me jump back and start with our morning and go from there.








For our second morning, my family will be visiting Animal Kingdom.













I can’t remember the last time I went to Animal Kingdom, I think it was only for a few hours in 2014, so I’m really looking forward to going back. I know there’s going to be a ton of construction going on, and while there’s not a ton of stuff to do in the park, the things that are there are my favorites.




Quality over quantity, in my opinion.








The park opens at 9am, and I plan to have us all there then.




We’ll head straight to Dinosaur and get a Rider Swap for probably Alex while my Mom and Dad ride standby. I’m hoping since it’ll be right at park opening the wait won’t be bad.




Once we get the swap, I’ll take Landon and Evie either to the playground or to do the new Lion Guard challenge the park will have going on at the time.




My parents will come meet us and one of them will stay back with me while the other goes back to ride Dinosaur with Alex.






Or, if nobody wants to do it twice, then everyone will go ride standby and I’ll take the kids by myself.




Whatever works for us on that day…








After that, all 4 of us have FPs for Expedition Everest. I’m not positive how I’ll work out the riding order. I’m sure we’ll get a Rider Swap. 90% of the time we don’t use the spare pass, but we really enjoy giving it to someone in the park. It lets us feel like we’re spreading a little pixie dust to fellow guests like in the old paper Fastpass days.






I do know that I want to ride with my dad since this’ll be his first turn on it. I have kept him in the dark on a lot of Disney stuff, and he’s not the type of person to look things up online. So, the backwards drop and “broken” track will be a surprise to him.




Naturally, I’ll ask for Row 1 to make sure he gets the most thrill.


I'm a sweet daughter.









I’m really looking forward to seeing his reaction on EE. While I love this coaster, I think I love going on it with first timers even more. Their reaction is always great.






After everyone has gotten their adrenaline fix (the kids will have spent this time at the playground, hopefully letting Landon burn off a lot of energy) we’ll head to Africa to use our next Fastpass for KS.











No matter what the animals are up to on this day, it’s bound to be a better experience than the one other time my dad went on the safari. He went on it in the middle of the day…in July.


All the animals were asleep and/or sitting in the shade, and my dad was so miserably hot, he was just grateful to be catching a breeze from the open vehicle.








When the safari is finished, we’ll all go to my personal favorite thing in Animal Kingdom.






Festival of the Lion King!






By far, what I’m most excited about. It’s been years since I’ve gone to the show, and I have yet to even see the new building it is in. It’s past time to rectify that issue.




Up until now, Landon would not have handled a long show very well. He’d have gotten antsy and loud and bored, so I avoided it at all costs.




But now, I’m positive he’ll love the music and dancers. He’s a huge music buff, and Pumba is his second favorite character. I’m really excited to see his face light up when he sees the Lion King characters and realizes there’s upbeat music involved.




Evie is such a laidback baby, that she’ll either sleep through the entire thing or sit on someone’s lap and watch. One of the perks of taking her so young, not much is going to bother her.








When the show is over, we’ll all grab a quick bite to eat somewhere, and before we head back out of the park, my mom and I will stop a buy one of the best adult snacks on property.




A dole whip with rum.






A wish I were exaggerating when I say I jumped up and down from joy when I heard my beloved Flower and Garden snack was made a permanent fixture inside DAK.


I’m not a big drinker, but this is one I refuse to pass up when I’m near its offering place.




However, I have learned from Dugette’s mistake and will make sure there’s a non-alcoholic one for Landon. Don’t want to cause a meltdown because the 2 year old can’t understand why mom isn’t sharing her ice cream.












The afternoon will be spent back in our rooms at Pop Century. Hopefully, Landon will nap, but if he doesn’t one of us will walk him around the resort and take him over to Art to explore the different buildings.








Around 4 o’clock, everyone will load up and head to the TTC to park. We’ll hop on the monorail and go to our 5:15 dinner at O’hana’s.













My mom begged me to get a reservation here. It’s her favorite place to eat. (My August trip report explains why.) She’d go to Disney just to eat here. A trip isn’t complete without a serving of bread pudding.




And Alex isn’t much better.




He would have been devastated if we weren’t able to eat at O’hana’s one last time before we moved.




So, no pressure on me.






As I said at the beginning of this report, I was desperate to get this reservation. Desperate!








Landon will eat everyone’s serving of bread.













We’ll end up ordering thirds of the pot stickers.













I’ll convince my mom to split the best Pina Colada you can get.









And my dad will eat more shrimp than he should.






It’ll be a great meal, I’m sure, and I’ll only hold a tiny bit of resentment at how much time I wasted getting the reservation.








The best thing that is coming out of this dinner is the timing of it. I’m really hoping that the meal won’t take too long (from experience the earlier the dinner time, the faster the service). If it doesn’t, then I should be able to get us all back on the monorail and to the Magic Kingdom.






Fireworks that night are at 8pm, so we should have just enough time to get through bag check, ticket lines, and onto Main Street to find a spot for the Celebrate the Magic castle show and Wishes.




I’m not too concerned about the parade, so if we need to go into shops and browse while the sidewalks are packed, I’m fine with that. We can go find a spot on Main Street once the streets are cleared and there’s less standing restrictions.

















Ahhhh, Wishes.




I cannot wait.






The last three or four times I’ve watched the fireworks has been in a different part of the park, so I’m looking forward to seeing it in front of the castle. I’m a little concerned by how Evie is going to react to the noise. We’ve got earmuffs for her, and I just have to cross my fingers and hope they are enough to block off the sounds. She’s a jumpy girl, and she hates being startled, so I’m not 100% sure she’s going to love Wishes as much as her older brother.








The park will be closed after Wishes, so I hope to hustle us all inside one of the stores to do some browsing while the masses make their way out. No need to rush back to our room.




It’ll only be 8:15.








For someone who’s used to summer and holiday hours, all these early nighttime closings baffle me. I’m trained for 1am park touring!




Oh well, probably better this way with young kids. They’ll appreciate the fairly familiar bedtime hours.










Up Next…Wait, STILL No MK Morning?!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Sounds like a great AK day and dinner :-D

Isn't it funny how kids can get fixated on one character. Donald in Mexico is super cute :-D

 

[cindianne320]

Your 2nd day sound great!

Is the playground you are talking about at AK the Boneyard? If so, just a word of caution it is closed February 22 to March 17. (We arrive on the 25th, so I've been watching closures.) Also, it opens a half hour to an hour after park opening.

I can't wait to eat at 'Ohana again! Glad you finally snagged that reservation!

 

[afwdwfan]

I have no problem with this newly sprouted Duck love, but I am concerned at what’s going to happen when I take Landon to the character spot in Epcot and he gets to see everyone BUT Donald.


I forsee me having to make the trek to the Mexico pavilion to rectify my poor mom planning.

Oh boy. And Donald not dressed up as something else isn't exactly available just anywhere at the parks...

A word of advice... if you don't plan to stop and visit him, don't walk toward the Norway pavilion from the direction of the Mexico pavilion. Landon will see him and want to stop. Trust me.

I won’t lie, though, I’m kind of over Disney dining because of how much flipping work I had to do to get all these reservations. Makes me a huge proponent of shorter ADR windows. (Would 60 days really make life harder for Disney?)

You know I agree with you on this. I just think 180 days is absurd and it totally screws you if you have to make last second plans or change anything up.

My parents will come meet us and one of them will stay back with me while the other goes back to ride Dinosaur with Alex.


Or, if nobody wants to do it twice, then everyone will go ride standby and I’ll take the kids by myself.

What??? You're not going to ride??

Naturally, I’ll ask for Row 1 to make sure he gets the most thrill.


I'm a sweet daughter.

Evie is such a laidback baby, that she’ll either sleep through the entire thing or sit on someone’s lap and watch. One of the perks of taking her so young, not much is going to bother her.

It really is a good age to take them.

A wish I were exaggerating when I say I jumped up and down from joy when I heard my beloved Flower and Garden snack was made a permanent fixture inside DAK.


I’m not a big drinker, but this is one I refuse to pass up when I’m near its offering place.

I'm glad you'll be able to enjoy it! And I'm glad that they've finally decided to serve it that way in a park somewhere so that people don't have to sneak their own rum into MK.

However, I have learned from Dugette’s mistake and will make sure there’s a non-alcoholic one for Landon. Don’t want to cause a meltdown because the 2 year old can’t understand why mom isn’t sharing her ice cream.

Well, you're hoping he'll take a nap after this, right???

It’ll be a great meal, I’m sure, and I’ll only hold a tiny bit of resentment at how much time I wasted getting the reservation.

I feel your pain, but I'm glad you were able to snag a good time and get this ADR so that you can all enjoy it together!

I’m a little concerned by how Evie is going to react to the noise. We’ve got earmuffs for her, and I just have to cross my fingers and hope they are enough to block off the sounds. She’s a jumpy girl, and she hates being startled, so I’m not 100% sure she’s going to love Wishes as much as her older brother.

I hope this works out ok for you. We've had good luck with the earmuffs, and our kids have had a tendency to fall asleep during the fireworks. They aren't all that jumpy to begin with, but apparently the earmuffs work pretty well.

For someone who’s used to summer and holiday hours, all these early nighttime closings baffle me. I’m trained for 1am park touring!




Oh well, probably better this way with young kids. They’ll appreciate the fairly familiar bedtime hours.

I hate the early hours, but I kind of like them too. I tend to want to go until I wear myself out. They kind of make me slow down.

 

[amazingact21]

Sounds like a great AK day and dinner :-D

Isn't it funny how kids can get fixated on one character. Donald in Mexico is super cute :-D

It's the strangest thing. We didn't do anything to get Landon attached to Donald. He just picked it up out of nowhere.
I shouldn't be too surprised, though, he kind of has a similar personality to Donald Duck. He was probably drawn to his "don't give a care" attitude.

Your 2nd day sound great!

Is the playground you are talking about at AK the Boneyard? If so, just a word of caution it is closed February 22 to March 17. (We arrive on the 25th, so I've been watching closures.) Also, it opens a half hour to an hour after park opening.

I can't wait to eat at 'Ohana again! Glad you finally snagged that reservation!

I have been so bad about keeping up with the refurb schedule. Mainly because after I saw the crazy complicated monorail schedule, I became discouraged and walked away.
Guess I need to go look.
Thanks for warning me about the Boneyard, though. I would have talked it up to Landon that whole morning, and then we would have had a MAJOR meltdown when we arrived to find it closed. You saved our AK day!

Oh boy. And Donald not dressed up as something else isn't exactly available just anywhere at the parks...

A word of advice... if you don't plan to stop and visit him, don't walk toward the Norway pavilion from the direction of the Mexico pavilion. Landon will see him and want to stop. Trust me.

I'm guessing this happened to you and a princess?

You know I agree with you on this. I just think 180 days is absurd and it totally screws you if you have to make last second plans or change anything up.

I feel like most folks don't start planning their vacations that seriously 6 months out. I know every other place I've vacationed I didn't. So it's asking a lot for people to figure out their meals that far out. I'll never forget in June 2013 i posted a status update talking about making my Dec 2013 ADRs, and I got a million comments stating how crazy that was. My friends couldn't wrap their heads around having to do that.

I'm glad you'll be able to enjoy it! And I'm glad that they've finally decided to serve it that way in a park somewhere so that people don't have to sneak their own rum into MK.

I might not have ever been guilty of that, but my dear grandmotherly Mom might be.

I hope this works out ok for you. We've had good luck with the earmuffs, and our kids have had a tendency to fall asleep during the fireworks. They aren't all that jumpy to begin with, but apparently the earmuffs work pretty well.

I hate the early hours, but I kind of like them too. I tend to want to go until I wear myself out. They kind of make me slow down.

Landon was never bothered by the fireworks; now he absolutely loves them. So I kind of hope Evie does appreciate them, otherwise we bought them for nothing...

 

[afwdwfan]

I'm guessing this happened to you and a princess?

I feel like most folks don't start planning their vacations that seriously 6 months out. I know every other place I've vacationed I didn't. So it's asking a lot for people to figure out their meals that far out. I'll never forget in June 2013 i posted a status update talking about making my Dec 2013 ADRs, and I got a million comments stating how crazy that was. My friends couldn't wrap their heads around having to do that.

It really is crazy. My sister in law and her family are going in June. They've booked through a TA and they're having her do their ADR's/FP's everything. They came over to our house yesterday and were talking about it. We asked where they have ADR's for and she said she didn't know yet. The TA told them she wasn't ready to book their ADR's yet and would call when she is.

You know, it isn't my trip, and I'm not planning it so I just tried to stay out of it. But I at least had to make an effort to ensure that they realize it is vital to get on it if they want to eat where and when they'd like to. Clearly, their TA knows very little about Disney as well.

 

[Dugette]

And it might me Mickey Mouse’s Clubhouse, but Donald’s the main event.

Has he seen the "Donald's Clubhouse" episode?

However, I have learned from Dugette’s mistake and will make sure there’s a non-alcoholic one for Landon. Don’t want to cause a meltdown because the 2 year old can’t understand why mom isn’t sharing her ice cream.

Well, I did get her a serving of her own (the tiny free sample), but she spilled it. So, make sure nothing happens to his serving.

Around 4 o’clock, everyone will load up and head to the TTC to park. We’ll hop on the monorail and go to our 5:15 dinner at O’hana’s.

Glad you got the ADR!

For someone who’s used to summer and holiday hours, all these early nighttime closings baffle me. I’m trained for 1am park touring!

Wow, that is super early! I mean, I know DLR has the short hours, but didn't realize WDW had MK closings that early!

 

[lovegrumpy]

Your going to love Germany. Everyone I have meet that has been stationed there has loved it.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

I thought I commented earlier but I guess I didn't.

I have no problem with this newly sprouted Duck love, but I am concerned at what’s going to happen when I take Landon to the character spot in Epcot and he gets to see everyone BUT Donald.




I forsee me having to make the trek to the Mexico pavilion to rectify my poor mom planning.

Well, at least you have a plan!

I have kept him in the dark on a lot of Disney stuff, and he’s not the type of person to look things up online. So, the backwards drop and “broken” track will be a surprise to him.




Naturally, I’ll ask for Row 1 to make sure he gets the most thrill.


I'm a sweet daughter.

However, I have learned from Dugette’s mistake and will make sure there’s a non-alcoholic one for Landon. Don’t want to cause a meltdown because the 2 year old can’t understand why mom isn’t sharing her ice cream.

 

[amazingact21]

It really is crazy. My sister in law and her family are going in June. They've booked through a TA and they're having her do their ADR's/FP's everything. They came over to our house yesterday and were talking about it. We asked where they have ADR's for and she said she didn't know yet. The TA told them she wasn't ready to book their ADR's yet and would call when she is.

You know, it isn't my trip, and I'm not planning it so I just tried to stay out of it. But I at least had to make an effort to ensure that they realize it is vital to get on it if they want to eat where and when they'd like to. Clearly, their TA knows very little about Disney as well.

Yikes. Well, I hope they do end up getting decent restaurants and FPs.

Has he seen the "Donald's Clubhouse" episode?

He had seen that one before, but after I saw your comment, I made a point of picking that one the following day. (We use the Disney Jr App on our Apple TV, so I get to choose what character centered episode he watches every day.)

Naturally, he loved it and thought it made perfect sense that the clubhouse be Donald's.

Well, I did get her a serving of her own (the tiny free sample), but she spilled it. So, make sure nothing happens to his serving.


Glad you got the ADR!


Wow, that is super early! I mean, I know DLR has the short hours, but didn't realize WDW had MK closings that early!

That's right. And wasn't it super hot out so it was melting fast? Or was that yours? I have such a bad memory!


It'll be weird not having a lot of hours in the park, but I'm making up for it by not taking as many afternoon breaks. Since it won't be as hot out or as late a bedtime, I figured we could last longer in the daytime.

Your going to love Germany. Everyone I have meet that has been stationed there has loved it.

Thanks! We're really looking forward to living there and experiencing the culture. It's kind of like a once in a lifetime opportunity that we just couldn't pass up.

I thought I commented earlier but I guess I didn't.

Well, at least you have a plan!

You're talking to the queen of not commenting - so you won't see any judging whatsoever over here. (With 2 little ones, it's just so much easier for me to read and enjoy the reports. Terrible, I know, but I can get through 3 updates in one sitting as opposed to 1 when I'm commenting.)



The other day, Landon was talking to his grandma and informed her, "I go meet Minnie and Goofy and Donald....Together."

Uhm. Not quite.

On one hand, I'm so thrilled he's old enough to understand our trip and become excited about things.
On the other...I wish he didn't think Disney was going to conform to whatever he wants on any given day.

Toddler logic...

 

[Gracefulskinny]

You're talking to the queen of not commenting - so you won't see any judging whatsoever over here. (With 2 little ones, it's just so much easier for me to read and enjoy the reports. Terrible, I know, but I can get through 3 updates in one sitting as opposed to 1 when I'm commenting.)

Part of the reason why I have become such a big fan of the Like button.

Toddler logic...

You mean you can't get everything you want when you want it?

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I did a quick read through to get on board here too!

Congratulations on your new addition!! She is so precious. And I might be biased but I loveeeee the name Evelyn lol

Even though you had to scale back a bit it sounds like it's going to be a wonderful trip. How awesome that your dad is going to go too! I bet Landon will love having him there.

 

[amazingact21]

I did a quick read through to get on board here too!

Congratulations on your new addition!! She is so precious. And I might be biased but I loveeeee the name Evelyn lol

Even though you had to scale back a bit it sounds like it's going to be a wonderful trip. How awesome that your dad is going to go too! I bet Landon will love having him there.

Thanks for joining in! Hopefully, I'll find the time to get a few more updates in before the actual trip arrives.


Haha, when I got the notification last week that you had updated your TR, one of the first things I thought was, "Hey, there's the other baby E." Back when I was pregnant with Landon, that was our girl name, so when you had your baby I remember being so excited that a fellow DISer loved that name, as well.


Landon and my dad are 2 peas in a pod, so he's going to be SO excited when he sees his Poppy at Disney.

 

[amazingact21]

A Collection of Odds and Ends:






I’m going to step back from the day to day plans for a minute and fill everyone in on what’s been going on in terms of Disney planning these past few weeks.






Unlike all our other trips, Landon understands that we are getting ready to go on a vacation. He keeps saying, “We go to Mickey’s house.” (Oh, how I wish Toontown were still in the MK.)




When we ask him what he wants to do, he tells us:




“I go see Mickey and Minnie and Goofy and Jake!”




Don’t ask where Donald disappeared; guess the duck’s out and Goofy’s in.






Typically, when Landon talks about Disney, he talks about getting to see Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Alex and I have NO IDEA where this came from. We don’t talk about him, Landon barely ever sees the show, and there isn’t one Jake toy in the house.




But the boy wants what the boy wants.






Naturally, meeting Jake was not in my schedule, but it soon will be. I can’t say no to a 2 year. Especially when that’s his one request.








Another new planning perk to Landon being older this time around is his enjoyment of counting down the days. Last weekend, I took Landon to the store and we bought supplies to make our own countdown calendar. I wrote the numbers out, cut the Mickey head shapes, and Landon put the stickers and glued the Mickeys onto the board.











And now, every morning while I’m cooking breakfast, Landon says, “I put sticker on! It’s 22 (21, 20, etc) now!”




















And yes, my kid is still wearing his Christmas jammies.






When your kid sticks his sleeves in his yogurt EVERY morning, you tend to go through the PJ wardrobe pretty quickly.






I gotta say, having Landon grasp what’s going on and make the connection between what we’re planning and what we’re going to do is pretty cool. The joy is infectious, and I can’t stop myself from telling him all about the attractions he’s going to go on and the music he will hear.




Except, he won’t get to watch Festival of the Lion King again.






Not when he goes to gym class.













When your 2 year old watches FotLK, then gets to go to a gymnasium, he suddenly thinks he’s a Tumbling Monkey and wants to pull off crazy stunts.






So, yeah, no more Disney shows with monkeys.










Yesterday, Alex and I took the kids to our Disney outlet store, where Landon got to open up the store.


















Believe it or not, Evie didn’t have any Disney outfits, so we had to do some major shopping to get her ready for the trip. There was an unbelievably good sale going on, so we also stocked up on some clothes for the children in bigger sizes. I wasn’t sure how easily I’d be able to get ahold of my beloved Disney shirts once we move to Germany, so I got a couple in each size so that the two little ones would have at least a few at all times.









(A good number of those items came from the clearance rack at Target, but they are Disney so it counts.)












To round out this incredibly random update, I’ve got 2 more highlights to point out.






Evie is now big enough to sit in a highchair:









I swear she forgets she’s only 3 months old…






Her sitting up will make life a little bit easier for us at our table service meals. We might be able to put her in her own chair with some kind of prop behind her filling in the extra space rather than have to sit in an adult’s lap the entire meal.






Not to mention, she’ll now get to sit facing out on attractions and take in some of the sights.




Hooray!








And, finally, I discovered this little gem on Facebook the other night and realized I’ve got a new cupcake to try.















A German Chocolate Coconut cupcake?!?!?!




Those are 2 of my favorite things all rolled into one.




I always try a new cupcake on each trip, usually from Starring Rolls, and this one has my name all over it.




I’ll probably have more than one…










According to Landon’s countdown, we have 21 days to go. I still need to preorder our stroller rental. (No way is a double stroller fitting into our car.) Make a grocery trip to pick up travel sized toiletries and diapers for the length of our stay. Figure out what clothes everyone needs. Get an oil change in the car. And try to resist adding an additional day to our trip since Alex found out he’d have the Saturday prior to our departure off work.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Super fun update!!! Love the countdown and that Landon can count down this year. That is always my favorite thing to do with my kids. WOW! How time flies, Evie has gotten so big, she is so cute. It's nice she can sit up in a chair and will make things easier on you during the trip. She looks like she has a very good attitude. You hit the jackpot on all those Disney clothes :-D Your plans are coming together, so exciting, can't wait to see all the fun you have with those two cuties.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

“I go see Mickey and Minnie and Goofy and Jake!”




Don’t ask where Donald disappeared; guess the duck’s out and Goofy’s in.

Easier for you I guess. LOL.

And yes, my kid is still wearing his Christmas jammies.

Hey get as much wear out of them as you can!

When your 2 year old watches FotLK, then gets to go to a gymnasium, he suddenly thinks he’s a Tumbling Monkey and wants to pull off crazy stunts.

I sense a story here... LOL...

Yesterday, Alex and I took the kids to our Disney outlet store, where Landon got to open up the store.

FUN!!!

I swear she forgets she’s only 3 months old…

 

[Heidi Lou]

So I think I have read all your trip reports and love them! I just was reading your update and found myself saying, "Look how big Landon is getting!" I love how you feel like you know and genuinely care about the disboards people you follow! He is adorable and so is that sweet little baby! Just wanted to stop in and say that

 

[afwdwfan]

“I go see Mickey and Minnie and Goofy and Jake!”




Don’t ask where Donald disappeared; guess the duck’s out and Goofy’s in.

I like Donald, but I like Goofy more. I approve!

Typically, when Landon talks about Disney, he talks about getting to see Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Alex and I have NO IDEA where this came from. We don’t talk about him, Landon barely ever sees the show, and there isn’t one Jake toy in the house.

Funny how they pick up on random things. DD was kind of this way. She loves Ariel. Always has. Even well before she ever saw the movie. If you ask her, she never says that Ariel is her favorite princess. It is usually Cinderella, but you can not walk by the Little Mermaid section of Fantasyland without stopping to see Ariel or ride the ride and we can't walk past the theater in DHS where the Mermaid show is either without stopping. It's just crazy, she has seen the movie now... but maybe only once or twice. It isn't even one of her favorites to watch, but she loves Ariel.

I know I'm just stating the obvious, but he's getting so big!

And yes, my kid is still wearing his Christmas jammies.

And??? What??? You're expected to go out and buy jammies that they'll wear once and maybe pass them down to a younger sibling when you already know you'll find something you like better and get for the younger one anyway? Use them till they don't fit! I don't care if it is July.

When your 2 year old watches FotLK, then gets to go to a gymnasium, he suddenly thinks he’s a Tumbling Monkey and wants to pull off crazy stunts.






So, yeah, no more Disney shows with monkeys.

Believe it or not, Evie didn’t have any Disney outfits, so we had to do some major shopping to get her ready for the trip. There was an unbelievably good sale going on, so we also stocked up on some clothes for the children in bigger sizes. I wasn’t sure how easily I’d be able to get ahold of my beloved Disney shirts once we move to Germany, so I got a couple in each size so that the two little ones would have at least a few at all times.

Well, it looks like you certainly took care of Evie's wardrobe deficiency.

And try to resist adding an additional day to our trip since Alex found out he’d have the Saturday prior to our departure off work.

Resist adding a day? Why? I really can't comprehend this concept.

 

[amazingact21]

Super fun update!!! Love the countdown and that Landon can count down this year. That is always my favorite thing to do with my kids. WOW! How time flies, Evie has gotten so big, she is so cute. It's nice she can sit up in a chair and will make things easier on you during the trip. She looks like she has a very good attitude. You hit the jackpot on all those Disney clothes :-D Your plans are coming together, so exciting, can't wait to see all the fun you have with those two cuties.

I used to be the only one who liked to do a Disney countdown, so it's been fun having someone else join in on the excitement. I can't wait to see how he reacts when we get near the end.

Evie's a big baby. At her last appointment, the doctor measured her twice, because he didn't believe she could be that tall already. She's going to have no problem sitting on laps on rides. And she really is the happiest baby. Always smiling. She recently learned how to use her voice, so she's either smiling or babbling to her older brother.

Easier for you I guess. LOL.

Hey get as much wear out of them as you can!

I sense a story here... LOL...

FUN!!!

Landon thought he could be a tumbling monkey and was trying to do the craziest things on the trampoline. I kept reminding him, "You've already had a cast on your leg. Please, don't get another one!"

So I think I have read all your trip reports and love them! I just was reading your update and found myself saying, "Look how big Landon is getting!" I love how you feel like you know and genuinely care about the disboards people you follow! He is adorable and so is that sweet little baby! Just wanted to stop in and say that

Thank you! He has really grown up this past year. It amazes me to think I joined the DIS before I was even married, and here I am about to have a 3 year old. Feels like just yesterday I took him on his first Disney trip.
And I know what you mean about caring about other DISers. It's always a highlight of my trips when I get to meet a friend face to face. We watch our families grow and change. I have a DISer friend who wrote about her son's first birthday Disney trip, and now he's in kindergarten! How time flies...

I like Donald, but I like Goofy more. I approve!

Funny how they pick up on random things. DD was kind of this way. She loves Ariel. Always has. Even well before she ever saw the movie. If you ask her, she never says that Ariel is her favorite princess. It is usually Cinderella, but you can not walk by the Little Mermaid section of Fantasyland without stopping to see Ariel or ride the ride and we can't walk past the theater in DHS where the Mermaid show is either without stopping. It's just crazy, she has seen the movie now... but maybe only once or twice. It isn't even one of her favorites to watch, but she loves Ariel.

That's too funny. I guess kids are just drawn to certain characters. I know if I ask Landon to pick a princess sticker, he always picks Rapunzel. Second choice is Elsa. I think he prefers the blondes.

I know I'm just stating the obvious, but he's getting so big!

And??? What??? You're expected to go out and buy jammies that they'll wear once and maybe pass them down to a younger sibling when you already know you'll find something you like better and get for the younger one anyway? Use them till they don't fit! I don't care if it is July.



Well, it looks like you certainly took care of Evie's wardrobe deficiency.

Resist adding a day? Why? I really can't comprehend this concept.

Landon's grown up a lot since our big trip last February. It kind of blows my mind writing that report, because he still looks like such a baby in those photos.


Evie is set until she outgrows size 5T. (Which, at the rate she's growing might not be as long as I'd like it to be. She's 3.5 month and is wearing size 9 month outfits...)



I actually called to add a day yesterday, but they didn't have any more discounted rooms available at Pop. And the regular rate was WAY more than I was willing to pay. But at least I tried...

 

[Gracefulskinny]

I actually called to add a day yesterday, but they didn't have any more discounted rooms available at Pop. And the regular rate was WAY more than I was willing to pay. But at least I tried...

Consider resort hopping? LOL!