That's the Second Biggest Double Stroller I've Ever Seen- A Dec 2010 TR

[PirateKate]

DW and I are really enjoying your TR.
We are excited to take our (soon to be) 4 month old next month!
Some think were crazy for taking a small child but I dont think were crazy one bit...

Hi! Thanks for reading. I bet you guys will have the best time taking your baby to Disney. I don't think you're crazy at all, but then, I took Landon when he was six weeks. No regrets!

Arms up the whole way is definitely the best way ever to ride Space Mountain!

The fudge sounds delicious. What a good idea Jeremy had!

Oh, I hope it was a good envelope waiting for you!

I know technically, that the Imagineers will have designed Space Mountain so that my arms will not crash into any metal bars, but that small element of uncertainty really adds an extra thrill to the ride.

It was delicious fudge! I love fudge with sprinkles on top.

Still enjoying your adventures in MK, and beyond!!

WOW! Neato, you got $200 gift card money. That's a way to make a magical sort of day!

Thanks, glad you're still enjoying it!

I know, the gift card was very magical!

Yay for an unexpected gift card! What a great surprise!

It was! Much better than a champagne toast.

Lucky you! Can't turn your nose up at a $200 gift card!

I never turn my nose up at a $200 gift card, Disney or otherwise.

What a nice surprise! There is nothing that brings me more happiness than having extra money to spend at WDW!

You know, I think that's true. I can hardly think of anything that brings more happiness than extra WDW money.

 

[wlake]

Buying three must have worked then! I bet if you hadn't he would have lost it frequently. I think I'm going to have to start buying multiples of the boys' stuffed animals. Lately, it seems like they are always wanting to play with the same one.

Oh yes! When his little brother came along, he bonded with it too, so we decided to get two more! We now have 6 matching stuffed dogs -- not a bad sized litter!

A $200 gift card -- wow! Lucky you!

 

[GingerJay]

Lol! I know just how you feel about your boys As a mom, I feel like I am constantly categorizing the level of danger my kids seem to always have themselves in. I'm glad Carter had fun exploring your resort And I'm sure the gift card was a wonderful surprise! Did you end up starting your collection of vinylmation with it?

 

[miprender]

I thought for sure it was going to be Blue Dog. But a $200 gift card is not bad either.

 

[PirateKate]

Oh yes! When his little brother came along, he bonded with it too, so we decided to get two more! We now have 6 matching stuffed dogs -- not a bad sized litter!

A $200 gift card -- wow! Lucky you!

I wonder if having six would be enough for my boys. Their latest popular animal is a stuffed Tigger. I have two, but Carter always wants both of them. Sometimes I wonder if he actually wants two Tiggers or if he just wants Landon not to have one. I can just see Carter with five Tiggers, upset because Landon has one.

Lol! I know just how you feel about your boys As a mom, I feel like I am constantly categorizing the level of danger my kids seem to always have themselves in. I'm glad Carter had fun exploring your resort And I'm sure the gift card was a wonderful surprise! Did you end up starting your collection of vinylmation with it?

Before I became a mom, some of my friends who had kids were always worrying over the craziest things and now, none of it really seems that crazy.

Carter and I had a great time exploring our resort. It is so beautiful at Coronado Springs. Plus the gift card did make the walk very worth while. There may be a few Vinylmations in my future...

I thought for sure it was going to be Blue Dog. But a $200 gift card is not bad either.

It's funny, at the time, I didn't even consider Blue Dog being in the envelope. That would have been cool, but I think I preferred the gift card. Sorry Carter.

 

[teachermommy78]

I might feel kinda bad if blue dog was stuffed into an envelope, so I'm glad it was a gift card.

 

[PirateKate]

I showed Jeremy our gift card. He was baffled, but pleased. "Instead of squandering it here and there, we could use it to pay for all our meals with it."

"Okay, but only if we have unlimited snack credits."

"Sure. All the snacks you want."

"My snack credits will be even better than the Dining Plan ones. Mine are accepted everywhere. And anything counts as a snack."

"Dat!" Carter had fetched a cup of green beans from his snack bag. I guess all this talk of snacks had made him hungry. I opened it for him and sat him up on the bed for optimum eating. His bed, of course. I really didn't want green bean guts in our bed.

"So, Landon has been sleeping this whole time?"

"Yep. He was tired."

Landon looked cute, lying on his belly, with his knees pulled up, sucking his thumb.

Carter finished his green beans and selected some yogurt from his snack bag. Jeremy fed him, while I watched. It was nearly lunchtime. I was getting a bit hungry myself.

Carter finished his yogurt and trotted off to get himself some applesauce. I fed Carter his applesauce.

"You know, we never finished all the fudge last night."

Jeremy got it out and we ate it, this time finishing every last bite. It was delicious. Sure, it was early for fudge, but it was a vacation.

Carter finished his applesauce and asked for a package of Disney fruit snacks. He shoved all the fruit snacks in his mouth at once and went back to his bag to forage.

He came up with a cup of carrots, which were followed by a granola bar, followed by a bag of Bug Bites. And then an apple juice box.

I don't know when Carter would have finished eating if left to his own devices. Landon woke up as Carter drank his juice. By this time, it really was lunchtime, and we were more than ready to hit the parks.

Animal Kingdom was first up on the day's agenda. Even though it was already getting late, we had an out of the way, but very important stop to make first.

We drove back to the Lost and Found Center, to check on Blue Dog. Jeremy had tried calling while Carter and I were out, but he never got through. It seemed easier to just go over there.

Once again, Jeremy went in, while I waited with the boys. I did not have high hopes. If Blue Dog hadn't turned up yesterday, he probably never would.

For the second time this morning, fortune smiled on us. Jeremy came out carrying Blue Dog. I watched Carter's face light up as he saw his friend. With a big smile and a giggle, he hugged Blue Dog tight.

Something wasn't quite right, though. I peered closer at Blue Dog, trying to figure out what looked off. And then it hit me.

"They cleaned him! Blue Dog is spotless. We could sell him on Ebay in Like New condition."

"Guess that's why it took so long to get him back."

"Are you sure that's the same Dog?"

"I checked. He barks when you squeeze his belly and he's got the right tag."

Wow. It was sort of like when the guy in Toy Story 2 restored Woody to perfect condition. Blue Dog looked fabulous. And Carter was one very happy little boy.

We drove to the Animal Kingdom, parked and walked in, making sure Blue Dog and Bear stayed safely in the car. A quick text confirmed that the rest of my family were playing in the Boneyard.

We found them quickly. First things first. It was past our lunchtime. "So we are hungry. Have you all already eaten?"

"Yeah. We ate just a little bit ago, so we won't be hungry for awhile. You guys should go ahead and eat, if you're hungry now."

"Okay. We'll probably just run up to Restaurantosaurus, since it is right here. Is it okay if Carter stays with you all, so he can play? I don't really think he is hungry anymore."

"That's fine." Carter went off to play with Bhors and Jeremy and Landon and I went to lunch.

I put in my request for a shrimp poboy and I took Landon to go get our table. It was amazing how much easier the process when I only needed one high chair. I tried to pick an area that was out of the way and not very crowded.

Landon sat in his chair. He told me that he was starving to death and he couldn't remember the last time he had eaten. If he had ever eaten before ever, which he doubted. I suggested that perhaps he was exaggerating and he assured me he was not.

I felt it would be best to allow Landon to start his lunch early. I got out his bananas and he ate happily.

Landon took a break from inhaling his bananas so he could make friends with some girls at the table next to us.

The girls waved and smiled at him.

Satisfied that he was a charming fellow in every way, Landon turned his attention back to his bowl of bananas.

I was so hungry Landon's bananas were starting to smell good. Jeremy seemed to be taking a very long time getting our food.

Eventually, which may have only been a few minutes that seemed longer due to impatience and hunger, Jeremy showed up with a tray of huge shrimp poboys with sweet potato fries.

"The sweet potato fries were a dollar extra, but I figured you'd want them, since you have unlimited snack credits."

I picked up a sweet potato fry and ate it. Yum! "Worth every dollar."

The poboys were delicious. We love shrimp and we were starving. In the presence of the poboys, Landon's bananas were no longer so aromatic. In fact, the poboys and sweet potato fries were one of my favorite Disney meals so far.

It was really fun to eat a meal with just Landon. Not that we don't enjoy Carter's company, but we were able to actually talk to each other and not gulp our food as fast as possible. And I even got a refill on my Diet Coke.

I smiled. "You know, it's kind of sad that a meal with only one baby sort of feels like a date."

"That's true. We probably don't get out enough."

Didn't matter today, though. Landon was being very good. Once he finished his bananas, he sat in his chair and chewed on his spoon until we were all done.

On our way out, we grabbed a milk for Carter and went back to the Boneyard.

The kids were actually about done playing in the Boneyard, so not long after we arrived, we left. Dash and Ella wanted to go on some more rides. They looked at Primeval Whirl and decided it wasn't for them. We saw Triceratop Spin had a short line, so we decided to ride.

Pappy opted out, as he dislikes spinning rides. The rest of us waited in line and were ready to board shortly.

I ended up with Landon as my ride buddy and Jeremy took Carter.

I made sure Landon and I snagged a back row so we could control the height of the dinosaur.

I could tell Carter was fascinated by sitting in a dinosaur. Landon didn't really seem to care.

Our dinosaur began to lift into the air.

I eased our dino up as high as it could go. I think the Disney scenery is the best part of any Dumbo-esque ride.

I did a few little dips, just to mix it up a little.

And then we were landing and the very, very short ride was over. Carter had liked it a lot. Landon had been completely neutral.

Everyone wanted to ride Kilimanjaro Safari next.

Jeremy whispered in my ear. "Hey, you should lead us the way that goes by the jalapeno pretzel stand."

"Didn't we just eat lunch?"

"I'm still hungry. Unlimited snack credits."

"This way, everyone. Follow me."

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I'm so glad that Blue Dog showed up and what a nice bonus that he had been cleaned! Sounds like you guys were having a pixie dust filled day.

 

[KatMark]

I'm a few updates behind, but I'm caught up now. I love the fact that you got the surprise gift card from Pop--and hooray for you remembering you could ride the bus around back to your location so you didn't have to walk.

Blue Dog was found--how great.


Love the photos of Landon eating his bananas...such a happy baby he is.

 

[luckylady]

Happy to hear Blue dog has been found.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Loved your Toy Story reference with Blue DOg....it's the first thing I thought of as I was reading! Love the pics of Landon eating his bananas...such a beautiful baby!!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Yes, I am VERY late to this TR. But that's okay, because I'm always late to everything, but I'm all caught up!

You are so right about having only one kid around feeling like a date. Babies are easy--it's the toddlers that keep us running!

I'm loving your report and am definitely subbing.

 

[MImommy]

I am so glad that Blue Dog was found. I had hoped that the envelope contained a note about Blue Dog's return, but a $200 gift card seemed a nice surprise. I have to admit that my pregnancy hormones kicked in and I cried when I read about Blue Dog being cleaned. Only at Disney do toys in Lost and Found get make-overs.

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

I'm glad you got Blue Dog back!

 

[PirateFish989]

I'm just joining in (only on page 2!). First, your kids are ADORABLE. Second, I cannot wait to continue to vacation to WDW vicariously through you - I already have that tingly feeling I get when I go to Disneyland!

 

[*Seanaci*]

The key to touring with a group is knowing when to split up...goodness that is the truth! I wish we had realised that earlier in our 2008 trip...I think it would have gone much smoother and been more fun for all of us had we discussed splitting up if need be rather than sticking together.

We used rider swap exactly once in 2008. The CM at Test Track told us to get our party in line...I told him we had already sent the 3 who were with us in line and that they were already in the building. He begrudingly gave us the pass after a few minutes of us insisting and pointing at our party as they looked back at us, that they were in the line...inside the building. It's odd how when I was reading up on rider swap prior to our trip (our DS was 14 months old at the time, so I knew we'd be using it often) it said for your party to see the FP CM to get the pass before the 1st riders enter the line, while the 2nd rider(s) go walk around with the kiddo whose too little to ride it while they wait for the others. Because it certainly didn't feel like that's what the CM's were instructed to do with rider swap. *shrugs* I digress.

Cliffhanger...*reads the next chapter of the story*

Wow. Nice! I LOVE when you get fairy dust like that. (We got some the other day at Target...picked up 2 of the Disney cups they are selling...and our checker was an older man who wasn't paying attention that there were actually 2 cups stacked together rather than 1...so we got two cups for the price of 1. THEN we went to Hobby Lobby where I picked up a $25 scrapbooking supply carry-all...got to the check out, thought the girl didn't ring something up right and shrugged it off. Turns out my $25 supply carry all was on sale!)

Yay! Soooooo glad you guys got Blue Dog back. And CLEAN?!?! That amazes me!

Anywho! Can't wait to read more about your trip.

 

[PirateKate]

I might feel kinda bad if blue dog was stuffed into an envelope, so I'm glad it was a gift card.

If Blue Dog had been stuffed into an envelope, he would have been very wrinkly. Just as well.

I'm so glad that Blue Dog showed up and what a nice bonus that he had been cleaned! Sounds like you guys were having a pixie dust filled day.

It was a very pixie dust filled day! I wonder if they clean all lost animals.

I'm a few updates behind, but I'm caught up now. I love the fact that you got the surprise gift card from Pop--and hooray for you remembering you could ride the bus around back to your location so you didn't have to walk.

Blue Dog was found--how great.


Love the photos of Landon eating his bananas...such a happy baby he is.

I was so happy when I remembered the bus! And when we got Blue Dog back all clean.

Thanks, Landon is a very happy baby. And a very messy eater.

Happy to hear Blue dog has been found.

I was so glad Carter got his Dog back. It definitely made his day.

Loved your Toy Story reference with Blue DOg....it's the first thing I thought of as I was reading! Love the pics of Landon eating his bananas...such a beautiful baby!!!

I could just imagine the toy restorer from TS2 sitting Blue Dog in the little chair and fixing him up. I'd like to know how they did it. Thanks, I find Landon to be a very beautiful baby.

Yes, I am VERY late to this TR. But that's okay, because I'm always late to everything, but I'm all caught up!

You are so right about having only one kid around feeling like a date. Babies are easy--it's the toddlers that keep us running!

I'm loving your report and am definitely subbing.

Welcome! I'm sure you're just fashionably late.

Landon's trying to toddle, then I'll have two to keep up with. Actually I think they get easier all the time. It was hardest with a newborn and a toddler.

I am so glad that Blue Dog was found. I had hoped that the envelope contained a note about Blue Dog's return, but a $200 gift card seemed a nice surprise. I have to admit that my pregnancy hormones kicked in and I cried when I read about Blue Dog being cleaned. Only at Disney do toys in Lost and Found get make-overs.

Ooh, a note about Blue Dog's whereabouts. That would be mysterious. So sorry to have made a pregnant lady cry. When I was pregnant, I had to quit watching most Disney movies- Bolt, Fox and the Hound, Meet the Robinsons...any of 'em could do it to me.

I'm glad you got Blue Dog back!

Me, too! I hated having Carter be sad.

I'm just joining in (only on page 2!). First, your kids are ADORABLE. Second, I cannot wait to continue to vacation to WDW vicariously through you - I already have that tingly feeling I get when I go to Disneyland!

Thank you! Glad to provide vicarious Disney magic. I've actually never been to Disneyland. I have high hopes for the Matterhorn. Someday.

 

[Nermel9]

Hi, I'm joining, gotta go get caught up (might take me a little while, there is a lot I missed! )!

 

[oOJulieOo]

YUM! I love sweet potato fries!

I can't believe all that food that Carter ate! How much food did you bring from home?!

Landon seems like such a super happy little guy. What a blessing!

 

[PirateKate]

The key to touring with a group is knowing when to split up...goodness that is the truth! I wish we had realised that earlier in our 2008 trip...I think it would have gone much smoother and been more fun for all of us had we discussed splitting up if need be rather than sticking together.

There's no faster way to make everyone grumpy that insisting we all stay together. Especially with a wide range of ages. When I was fifteen, I went to Disney with my family and my grandparents and aunt and uncle and two cousins who were little and scared of all the good rides. It would have been sheer madness to stay together.

We used rider swap exactly once in 2008. The CM at Test Track told us to get our party in line...I told him we had already sent the 3 who were with us in line and that they were already in the building. He begrudingly gave us the pass after a few minutes of us insisting and pointing at our party as they looked back at us, that they were in the line...inside the building. It's odd how when I was reading up on rider swap prior to our trip (our DS was 14 months old at the time, so I knew we'd be using it often) it said for your party to see the FP CM to get the pass before the 1st riders enter the line, while the 2nd rider(s) go walk around with the kiddo whose too little to ride it while they wait for the others. Because it certainly didn't feel like that's what the CM's were instructed to do with rider swap. *shrugs* I digress.

Maybe it's just a CM at Test Track. I remember having problems getting a rider switch pass there once because I didn't have a baby right with me. It was back when Dash was a baby and I kept trying to point him out of a crowd and the CM kept asking if it was this baby or that one. Finally, he just gave it to me. And he never did see Dash.

Cliffhanger...*reads the next chapter of the story*

Wow. Nice! I LOVE when you get fairy dust like that. (We got some the other day at Target...picked up 2 of the Disney cups they are selling...and our checker was an older man who wasn't paying attention that there were actually 2 cups stacked together rather than 1...so we got two cups for the price of 1. THEN we went to Hobby Lobby where I picked up a $25 scrapbooking supply carry-all...got to the check out, thought the girl didn't ring something up right and shrugged it off. Turns out my $25 supply carry all was on sale!)

Target has Disney cups? I'm going to look for those next time I go. I love it when things are more on sale than I think they will be. And it was very nice getting the gift card. I wonder if it would be just as magical to buy one myself and then surprise myself with it unexpectedly. I'll never see it coming.

Yay! Soooooo glad you guys got Blue Dog back. And CLEAN?!?! That amazes me!

Anywho! Can't wait to read more about your trip.

I was so glad to get Blue Dog back, too. Of course no one was as happy as Carter. I don't think Carter even noticed his Dog was clean, but I was very pleased.

Hi, I'm joining, gotta go get caught up (might take me a little while, there is a lot I missed! )!

Hi! Glad you are here!

YUM! I love sweet potato fries!

I can't believe all that food that Carter ate! How much food did you bring from home?!

Landon seems like such a super happy little guy. What a blessing!

We brought quite a bit of food from home. I figured it would be easier for Carter to eat a lot of the same foods he is used to, since he would be sleeping somewhere else and going strange places all day. Plus, it was handy for the drive and times like this in the room, when it wasn't convenient to buy him Disney food. And I wasn't sure how easy it would be to get him veggies at Disney.

Landon is a very happy little guy. And so is Carter. They are definitely a blessing.