hey Brooke, I'm loving your PTR as much as your TR. I'm so inspired by how you guys just take it easy, and go with the flow. I'm determined to do just that on our upcoming trip in Oct. It will be the first "going on rides" trip for our toddler. In fact i'm so gald you posted a must do list, I've gotten a lot of ideas for park touring from it.
You asked for opinions on Flights of Wonder in AK. It is a must do for my husband every trip. The show is really cute, and they bring out lots of cool birds that do tricks or little conditioned behaviors they've worked into the script. If Henry likes birds and/or animal shows I think he'll like it. I'm pretty sure mine will like it, if not his dad will be crushed.
~bree~
Hi there!!!! Glad to hear you are enjoying the PTR. I really like doing one, it helps me dump my thoughts into one place and get invaluable advice!
I am very glad my list helps you! I'll report back on how Henry reacts on the iffy things - at 16 months he cried on MANY rides, so hopefully that has changed. Touring at a more relaxed pace and just going with the flow is very helpful with a toddler-just having that mindset alone makes your day more magical in case they decide to meltdown, or don't like any of the rides, etc. The only day I worry about is our MK day - there is SO much for a little one to do, and I want to get to it all - I have to remember, it truly only matters to ME, not to Henry! There will be a time when hitting certain rides matters to him, but at this point - not so much!
Plus, we are going back to MK on our last morning and possibly on one other night to hit up rides....so hopefully between all the time, we will get most of that list accomplished and still be at a relaxed pace.
That is great to hear about Flights of Wonder! I think Henry would like this, he loves animals and points out the birds in the sky. I hope your little one will like it!!
What a list! At least you know that you will return soon to get to the things you missed!!
The Flights of Wonders is really a neat show. It is amazing to see all these different birds. The show is a bit cheesy, but I found it highly amusing. It's definitely something I would love to do again, so worth a visit! It is an open air theater, I don't know how much shadow there is. But don't sit in the back, the birds fly very close over the heads of those sitting all the way to the back!!
If you never did the animal trails at AK, you really must try to do them, they are beautiful! I think they are one of the reasons why I love AK so much. They are actually nothing different from a zoo, but they are themed so cleverly that you think you are actually in a nature park in Africa or Asia. Incredible!!
Thank you for this advice on Flights of Wonder! I didn't think about it being open air - if the sun is shining straight in, Joe will be miserable due to his eye condition and being so sensitive to light. Something I will keep in mind. Also, great advice on the back rows!
We have never done the animal trails-I've seen so many beautiful pictures from them on TRs I REALLY want to do them! The themeing looks amazing and I can only imagine how intensified it is when you are actually there. The bats from everyone's reports have kinda caught me...they are really cute and interesting!!
We really enjoyed Flights of Wonder on our last trip. It's not a must do every trip for us, but we definitely enjoy seeing it every few years!
Another thumbs up for Flights of Wonder! Thank you! I think I'll still aim for the FOTLK show since we haven't seen it, but if we have time for a 2nd show, we'll go for Flights of Wonder since we have seen Nemo.
A great list Brook for the rides! It's funny how when a trip is coming up soon how everything you think about is Disney! I am the same way with the lists and writing down on anything I can. I can't believe your trip is coming up so soon! It is too cute that Henry knows the train and Riverboat are at Mickey's House. How is your foot doing?
Oh yes, he knows that riverboat is t Mickey's!
He points it out and says "Mahee!"...he also points at the cruise boat!
My foot is doing alright....not as great as I was hoping, but certainly better than it was! It's still swollen, but the other day the swelling was down quite a bit and I could actually see my ankle bone again!
37 days!
Can I make a suggestion for 3d shows? I don't know it'll work with your plans but I'll offer my 2 cents.
I hate 3d shows. At 24 I refuse to do It's Tough to be a Bug & Honey I Shrunk the Audience. I love Philharmagic & Muppets though, they're a lot more friendly. I'd definitely start with Philharmagic or Muppets (Philharmagic is a little more friendly IMO.)
This is very good advice! I cannot recall what our first 3D show was last year...we skipped It's Tough to Be a Bug because
I screamed during it on our first trip!
I think starting with Philharmagic-characters he recognizes would be the best bet...
Oh yes, a little boy's paradise!
Definitely a must-see for me!!
Henry will adore this!
We've seen it twice... nice, "B-list" show, IMHO. Afterwards the CMs let you come to the stage and meet some of the birds, so you may like that.
Of course!
We're really, really looking forward to this, too!
Billy doesn't "do" fire, either, so we sit in the upper back section. I think the overall view is actually better from here, plus, they show close-up video on a big screen just like at concerts.
He doesn't have to wear the glasses if he doesn't want to...
Gotta see Dut-Dut... and maybe you will meet him outside!!
I hear ya!!
You and Billy both!! I'm sure we'll be seeing it multiple times! 
It's such a relaxing ride... perfect for mid-afternoon!
Yay Pooh-Bear!! 
Gotta do the choo-choo!
**Just be warned... there is a dark, loud, potentially scary part when the Tiki gods get angry... thunder and lightning and yelling...
I can, too!
Great list! It's so much fun to dream about the trip, isn't it? 
Kathy
More great advice! That is a very good idea about sitting in the back sections for LMA. We usually go straight to the front because otherwise Joe can't see it very well due to his eye condition, but he already told me that he would sit in the back, because he has seen it and knows what to expect and will just catch what he can. Plus...it may be shaded back there, right? Oh, I am excited about this idea! I think Henry is going to be WIDE-EYED at all the cars racing! He'll be reenacting it in his bed that night with this car toys.
And VERY GOOD to know about the Tiki Room. If Henry is seeming skittish this trip still, we'll skip this.
I laughed at your comment on the Hall of Presidents.
I'm glad Billy is still excited about it despite the changes! I know I'm going to be a complete basket case during the whole thing, just the preview clips you had on your TR made me cry!
I'd think Henry would like the Backlot tour. It has boats, planes, cars and a truck in catastrophe canyon.
Your lists look great!
Oooooh, you are soooooo right! I forgot about the props! He will really like this!
Love the rides list! I know what you mean about making lists of everything -- I always seem to be doing that!
It's so fun to dream, isn't it? And really, as I tell Joe, the more I refine the list, the better-because little problems with The Plan do pop up, so if I didn't make all the lists and doodles, we would run into so many snags! See, it's a trip planning requirement!
Great list!! It looks like you have a very do able plan !
Thanks!! I sure hope so. The MK day makes me a bit nervous, but even if we miss some things, it will be alright - we'll just be sure to get those in December!
Flights of Wonder is an interesting show. I like to see it once during each vacation if only to get a glimpse of the Bald Eagle--so majestic and beautiful.
Ooooh, I bet seeing the Bald Eagle up close is beautiful! We have a LOT of them in Minnesota (especially down by my Mom's), but you never see them up close, only up in trees or flying around - which is still beautiful, but it would be amazing to see one closely.
When traveling with a toddler/preschooler, I think these lists are invaluable. When you are working with a short list of must dos it really helps you prioritize before the next meltdown comes. Plus, you know you accomplished everything you wanted and there is always another trip to hit the rest!
Exactly! Henry is a pretty chill kid, BUT, as 2 creeps closer and closer, his opinion is becoming more and more well known.
Whew! All caught up again. I think you plans sound great. With Goofy's Barnstomer though, there is a height restrcition, which I think is 36 inches. Claire was just about there when we went when she was two. Some CM's let her ride it and some didn't. Good thing she had the nice CM who measure her at 36 the first night and she rode it 3 times in a row. The next day the CM that measured her said she was just under and wouldn't let her.
I went to the Mall of America last summer. It was so cool. I loved it. I swear there is like 3 Victoria's Secrets there. LOL! I actually met up with a girl I know from another board (parenting) and we had a nice visit and spent several hours together shopping. It was like we knew each other for ever. Claire did Libby Lu and just thought she was a Princess. I hope to go again some day. It is huge though. But by the end of the day, I was pretty sure how to navigate most of it and I never lost my way to my car. LOL!
I think Barnstormer is 35 inches...I think I read that on AllEars...gotta check.
Yep, 35!
I am pretty sure Henry is at 35 inches right now, or VERY close and will hopefully squeak up a bit before September. He's been growing like a weed lately! I'll make sure he wears "tall shoes" that day.
That's right! I remember now about you mentioning your Mall of America trip and Claire doing Libby Lu! Did they have the big American Girl store/restaurant at that time too? I can only imagine how excited little girls are to experience all that.
I OFTEN forget where I parked my car there, you are better than I am! Thankfully Joe is like a compass. I totally don't pay attention to those things anymore and just follow him...
You have to take that sweet boy on the Donald Boatride at EPCOT--- that is my fondest memory of Emily last summer at 2, saying where is donald hands out the entire time-- so sweet!
So many fun things on your list....
Oh my goodness!!! I can just picture her doing that. So stinkin' cute. Yes, this is a MUST DO with his love for the duck!!
And I love the idea of letting Henry's hair grow for the haircut on Main Street, I would definately be doing that too if I were taking the boys!!!
