Hi Everyone,
Several months ago I posted here and asked everyone's advice on taking my mother and mother-in-law on a trip to WDW with my husband, 2 yr old son and I as a thank you to them for all the babysitting they do for us. The only problem was that they don't like each other - due to a family fight several years ago and the fact that they're just 2 strong personalitles who don't get along. About 12 of 16 replies came back saying I was nuts to even consider this.
I went ahead and planned it anyway - Nov. 4 - 11 in CBR, 3 rooms. Boy, was I nervous about it all - down to worrying about how they had to sit next to each other on the plane. First I booked all of us in the same row, then I called Jet Blue back in a panic asking if I could move them apart - no go. I knew they'd both love Disney and enjoy watching my son there, but I was worried that I put too much stock on the joy of a 2 yr old and Disney Pixie Dust. I had visions of one of them pushing the other in the moat in front of the castle or refusing to sit in the minivan together.
Well, I'm happy to say we just returned and had a GREAT time! Sure, they'll never be friends, but both behaved themselves and got along. They even asked when we were going to do this again (considering the cost to us, it'll be a while!). They went on all the scary rides too - my husband and m-in-law did Mission to Mars (she loved it, he liked it but said his stomach was a little queasy). My Mom laughed the loudest I've heard since my Dad died 7 yrs ago. She loved Splash Mtn., Test Track and the slides at Typhoon Lagoon. They really enjoyed watching my son have fun, and there was never any competition for his attention. They were a big help with watching him, entertaining him, and helping to lug around the bags, stroller, etc. And they each spoiled him with a few gifts. All in all a great success that we'd love to repeat as soon as we could afford it.
I didn't keep a day-by-day journal, but here are some of my observations:
CBR - nice hotel, but too spread out for me. I faxed a room request asking for 1 smoking room and 2 non-smoking, connecting rooms - all close together. Didn't happen. We got rooms in buildings 31 and 34. Its a good thing we don't go to the food court too often, we were far away. And I'm sorry to say, but I thought the room decor could have been better. The room was in good shape, but the fish wallpaper border didn't match the green floral curtains, which didn't match the fabric on the chairs or the carpeting! There were too many clashing shades of green going on. Its sounds picky, but I thought they could have done better.
Helpful CM's - Our maid was SO nice! We met her one day and she hugged our son. We had lots of fun hiding and looking for his stuffed animals. There was also a really nice guy at the Toy Store in DTD who helped me pack my Mr. Potato Head box. And our waitress at Tony's in the MK was very nice too - gave us a little jar of Mickey confetti and gave my son an ice cream for dessert. Oh, and the security guard at MK who told us all about the Goodnight Kiss was real friendly too.
Weather - this was the third time we went in early Nov. and we got the worst weather so far. It started out humid and partly sunny, then we had some on and off rainy days. It wasn't too bad, just not good for pictures and annoying to keep taking the ponchos on and off. But we did get to swim, so that was nice.
The Parks - we hit all the parks. My favorite will always be MK, followed by EPCOT and then MK. We planned on getting out early and returning to the room for an afternoon nap, but that didn't happen. My son did very well napping in the stroller - we brought his blankie so he'd ask for it and some milk, then tell us to recline the seat back when he was ready to nap, and off he'd go. So we stayed out most days til 8 or 9 PM. We all slept very well at night!
Fireworks - The Wishes Fireworks at MK was just a beautiful show. I've never seen fireworks like the ones they had. At first my son didn't like them - too loud and bright, so we had to turn the stroller away and talk him through it. By the third show he was watching them a little and saying he liked the fireworks. He said the noises were loud drums. I could watch this show every night.
Crowds - Not too bad...there were some 45 min. waits, but we used Fast Pass and it worked out really well. I didn't see any pushy, loud, or obnoxious people.
Traveling with a 2 yr old - Although my son had a great time, I'd say he was a little young to enjoy all of the kiddie rides even. I found if he was tired he didn't want to try anything new. Sometimes it was better just to take him on rides rather than ask him and receive a common "No!". Some of the kiddie rides are still loud or dark and can frighten a 2 yr old. I had to take him out of Mickey's Philarmagic and the Little Mermaid show. I don't regret taking him, but I think he'll enjoy more rides next year. His favorites were the carousel, the monorail, and the train around the MK.
Food - we made 2 of my 4 PS's, including the Hoop De Doo Review (my son just sat in awe watching the performers) and breakfast at Chef Mickeys. We missed the Ice Cream Social and dinner at O'Hanas. The Grandmas raved over the roasted chicken at Wolfgang Pucks in DTD. We had lunch at the Sci-Fi Diner in MGM - so-so food but great atmosphere. Tony's in the MK was very tasty...I never knew it was there. We were talking about where to eat when some guy sitting near by suggested Tony's. Turns out he was a CM who played Prince Charming, but he was off that day cuz he had a cold sore on his mouth!
What we missed - so much, yet we did so much too. Didn't get to see Fantasmic or any of the parades at MGM or AK. Once again didn't get to Pleasure Island. Didn't see Mickey's Philarmagic cuz my son freaked out at the beginning and I had to take him out. The model train outside of Germany in EPCOT wasn't running and we really wanted to show it to my son. One time the cable car/caboose was running on top of the hill, that's all. Does anyone know why the other trains weren't going? Is it due to the weather?
Now the only thing I have to look forward to is getting my pictures back - and planning the next trip!
Bye for now...
Linda
Several months ago I posted here and asked everyone's advice on taking my mother and mother-in-law on a trip to WDW with my husband, 2 yr old son and I as a thank you to them for all the babysitting they do for us. The only problem was that they don't like each other - due to a family fight several years ago and the fact that they're just 2 strong personalitles who don't get along. About 12 of 16 replies came back saying I was nuts to even consider this.
I went ahead and planned it anyway - Nov. 4 - 11 in CBR, 3 rooms. Boy, was I nervous about it all - down to worrying about how they had to sit next to each other on the plane. First I booked all of us in the same row, then I called Jet Blue back in a panic asking if I could move them apart - no go. I knew they'd both love Disney and enjoy watching my son there, but I was worried that I put too much stock on the joy of a 2 yr old and Disney Pixie Dust. I had visions of one of them pushing the other in the moat in front of the castle or refusing to sit in the minivan together.
Well, I'm happy to say we just returned and had a GREAT time! Sure, they'll never be friends, but both behaved themselves and got along. They even asked when we were going to do this again (considering the cost to us, it'll be a while!). They went on all the scary rides too - my husband and m-in-law did Mission to Mars (she loved it, he liked it but said his stomach was a little queasy). My Mom laughed the loudest I've heard since my Dad died 7 yrs ago. She loved Splash Mtn., Test Track and the slides at Typhoon Lagoon. They really enjoyed watching my son have fun, and there was never any competition for his attention. They were a big help with watching him, entertaining him, and helping to lug around the bags, stroller, etc. And they each spoiled him with a few gifts. All in all a great success that we'd love to repeat as soon as we could afford it.
I didn't keep a day-by-day journal, but here are some of my observations:
CBR - nice hotel, but too spread out for me. I faxed a room request asking for 1 smoking room and 2 non-smoking, connecting rooms - all close together. Didn't happen. We got rooms in buildings 31 and 34. Its a good thing we don't go to the food court too often, we were far away. And I'm sorry to say, but I thought the room decor could have been better. The room was in good shape, but the fish wallpaper border didn't match the green floral curtains, which didn't match the fabric on the chairs or the carpeting! There were too many clashing shades of green going on. Its sounds picky, but I thought they could have done better.
Helpful CM's - Our maid was SO nice! We met her one day and she hugged our son. We had lots of fun hiding and looking for his stuffed animals. There was also a really nice guy at the Toy Store in DTD who helped me pack my Mr. Potato Head box. And our waitress at Tony's in the MK was very nice too - gave us a little jar of Mickey confetti and gave my son an ice cream for dessert. Oh, and the security guard at MK who told us all about the Goodnight Kiss was real friendly too.
Weather - this was the third time we went in early Nov. and we got the worst weather so far. It started out humid and partly sunny, then we had some on and off rainy days. It wasn't too bad, just not good for pictures and annoying to keep taking the ponchos on and off. But we did get to swim, so that was nice.
The Parks - we hit all the parks. My favorite will always be MK, followed by EPCOT and then MK. We planned on getting out early and returning to the room for an afternoon nap, but that didn't happen. My son did very well napping in the stroller - we brought his blankie so he'd ask for it and some milk, then tell us to recline the seat back when he was ready to nap, and off he'd go. So we stayed out most days til 8 or 9 PM. We all slept very well at night!
Fireworks - The Wishes Fireworks at MK was just a beautiful show. I've never seen fireworks like the ones they had. At first my son didn't like them - too loud and bright, so we had to turn the stroller away and talk him through it. By the third show he was watching them a little and saying he liked the fireworks. He said the noises were loud drums. I could watch this show every night.
Crowds - Not too bad...there were some 45 min. waits, but we used Fast Pass and it worked out really well. I didn't see any pushy, loud, or obnoxious people.
Traveling with a 2 yr old - Although my son had a great time, I'd say he was a little young to enjoy all of the kiddie rides even. I found if he was tired he didn't want to try anything new. Sometimes it was better just to take him on rides rather than ask him and receive a common "No!". Some of the kiddie rides are still loud or dark and can frighten a 2 yr old. I had to take him out of Mickey's Philarmagic and the Little Mermaid show. I don't regret taking him, but I think he'll enjoy more rides next year. His favorites were the carousel, the monorail, and the train around the MK.
Food - we made 2 of my 4 PS's, including the Hoop De Doo Review (my son just sat in awe watching the performers) and breakfast at Chef Mickeys. We missed the Ice Cream Social and dinner at O'Hanas. The Grandmas raved over the roasted chicken at Wolfgang Pucks in DTD. We had lunch at the Sci-Fi Diner in MGM - so-so food but great atmosphere. Tony's in the MK was very tasty...I never knew it was there. We were talking about where to eat when some guy sitting near by suggested Tony's. Turns out he was a CM who played Prince Charming, but he was off that day cuz he had a cold sore on his mouth!
What we missed - so much, yet we did so much too. Didn't get to see Fantasmic or any of the parades at MGM or AK. Once again didn't get to Pleasure Island. Didn't see Mickey's Philarmagic cuz my son freaked out at the beginning and I had to take him out. The model train outside of Germany in EPCOT wasn't running and we really wanted to show it to my son. One time the cable car/caboose was running on top of the hill, that's all. Does anyone know why the other trains weren't going? Is it due to the weather?
Now the only thing I have to look forward to is getting my pictures back - and planning the next trip!
Bye for now...
Linda
