The Many Adventures of...A Family With a New Baby! Jan - Dec 2016! New 11/7!

[Dugette]

In my excitement to get to the parks portion, I forgot to really touch on the Grand Californian room. Let me first say, I got a "deal" on the room and "only" paid $360/night. That is a LOT more than I normally pay for anything. For instance, our Poly room was $234/night by renting points and our 1-bedroom BLT room cost approx. that $360/night rate - but we had so much space!

Overall, I was really disappointed in the price of the room vs. what you get.

Wow, I'm with you on not wanting to pay more than low/mid 200's for a deluxe! I really wish DLR had on-site value or moderate options, but it's basically uber-deluxe, pretty deluxe, and still very deluxe to choose from. I'm glad I didn't try to splurge. We stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn and it was the shortest walk! Like we were in the security line and realized we forgot our photopass card, so I just ran back to the room and got back in time for security! And our room was quite possibly larger than yours. I checked and we paid $850 for 5 nights, so about $170/night. But I heard something about Disney building a new parking structure in the next couple years that will make the walk from this hotel (and others nearby) much longer....all the more reason for me to figure out how to get back there soon!

This area is one of the best play areas at any Disney park, if not THE best! It's so well themed with a ton of things to do for all ages.

It was really fun! And Izzy was too small for some of the things when we went - she would have an even better time now!

Video Link:

For some reason, it tells me the video is unavailable.

Love the "slide hair"!

Yeah, I am not a huge fan of these sorts of rides lol! (Primeval Wheel at AK is one I can never go on again and be totally ok with that!).

Totally agree! I went on Goofy's Sky School and got a RS for Dug. When I got off the ride, I told him he wouldn't be interested, I didn't like it, then gave away our RS. And we both HATED Primeval Whirl - though I have a feeling Izzy's going to want to try it, so I may need to deal with it again.

I don't remember the exact height requirement, but she was tall enough to ride a tandem swing with me, but not one by herself (which was okay with me considering how high we went!).

Fun! We didn't do this last time (Izzy wasn't tall enough), but I used to love the swings ride we had here at Valleyfair when I was a kid. I would love to ride it with her now.

Aria really loved the ride (it was her first time on Soarin period!).

Oh, wow, just realized neither of our girls has been on the original Soarin'! But the new one is great too.

she is normally a very good sleeper, sleeping 6:30PM-7AM straight

Wow, impressive! I hope Emma follows suit!

 

[Imagineer5]

So sorry about the tiny room/loud people outside the door/Maya waking up!

Looks like a great bonus evening at DCA. I looooved that park when I went in 2009 and I can't wait to go back!

That playground area looks amazing!

It was a long night!

My very first visit to DCA was right after it opened? In 2002 or so? (Yes I just looked it up and it opened in February 2001). I was really disappointed in the park, but of course, there were very few rides compared to what it is now! I went again in 2004 with DH when we were dating and totally skipped DCA. After Carsland opened along with Soarin and the GRR area, plus Monster's Inc, I have REALLY loved that park the last few years!!

Your new report is bringing back lots of memories! That IS a long flight--and I can only imagine a baby Maya's age. Ugh. You must have been so tired. And the San Diego airport arrivals/baggage claim/rental car situation is just insane. Again, hard with two big kids, bet it was terrible with a baby! Too bad you didn't get offered a $5/ day mini van upgrade like we did!

I am really with you on the GC-- I felt very ripped off, and we paid about what you did, maybe a few dollars more. DL Hotel wasn't available, but in the future I might pick Paradise Pier-- it's not a much longer walk at all, and less than half the price. But....not sure when we will make it back to CA, and I'm pretty sure Adam would be a hard no on a DL trip. We never made it to the pool--the slide looks really fun. I like your rule--so many things are fun once you try them. And I hate watching kids get phobic about things just because they are new. My niece and nephew are like this, and it makes me kind of sad. Anyway, soapbox over...

I love a good bonus day! You did so many fun things-- we never made it on the swings, fun wheel or the jellyfish! Everything had long lines, and we ended up doing more of the thrill/adventure rides. I HATED sky school--horrible!!! The feeling of being just on the edge of the track plus the jerking-- just, why?!

The food--yum! Why can't WDW QS be that good? And now I want a tamale! Your mom and my mom would get along famously, it seems. Very similar people

You are like me with the long-range planning-- I always have something brewing. That CA trip sounds like so much fun. We are definitely cutting way back on WDW travel for the foreseeable future, but I do really miss it, even when we go somewhere else really fun. Hope you squeeze a trip in! Will let you know if Cape plans materialize--would be mid-to-late August, but it's always a relatively last minute planned trip, and not sure this year since my friend's death. I really hope we come up though-- I need my NE summer fix! You can come stay in NC where it's 97 with 99% humidity....ugh. I hate summer. Can you tell??!

Yeah writing that about the flights, and it had me foreshadowing to next year when we'll have Emma, Maya, and Aria. Phew! At least DH will be helpful That's one issue with bypassing any counters is there are no deals to be had, but it was really nice to just walk up to the car aisle and pick one! Once we were settled in the car it wasn't so bad. Brings back memories of going to Hawaii. I talked my mom into renting a Mustang Convertible one time - we went with my step-dad so I had to sit in the back seat and our luggage wouldn't fit in the itty bitty trunk, so I had to drive to the hotel with suitcases on my lap and next to me. It was awful!

I've never stayed at PPH, but the rooftop pool doesn't do it for me, so I'd rather spend just a tiny bit more (assuming that is possible) and stay at the DLH (as long as I intended to use the pools). Adam didn't even go to DL, why would he be a definite no?!

So far my try everything once rule has worked out really well and I haven't yet scared (or scarred ha!) Aria enough that she pushes back on it! lol.

Humidity and heat sound amazing. We're getting snow today!

Wow, I'm with you on not wanting to pay more than low/mid 200's for a deluxe! I really wish DLR had on-site value or moderate options, but it's basically uber-deluxe, pretty deluxe, and still very deluxe to choose from. I'm glad I didn't try to splurge. We stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn and it was the shortest walk! Like we were in the security line and realized we forgot our photopass card, so I just ran back to the room and got back in time for security! And our room was quite possibly larger than yours. I checked and we paid $850 for 5 nights, so about $170/night. But I heard something about Disney building a new parking structure in the next couple years that will make the walk from this hotel (and others nearby) much longer....all the more reason for me to figure out how to get back there soon!


It was really fun! And Izzy was too small for some of the things when we went - she would have an even better time now!


For some reason, it tells me the video is unavailable.


Love the "slide hair"!


Totally agree! I went on Goofy's Sky School and got a RS for Dug. When I got off the ride, I told him he wouldn't be interested, I didn't like it, then gave away our RS. And we both HATED Primeval Whirl - though I have a feeling Izzy's going to want to try it, so I may need to deal with it again.


Fun! We didn't do this last time (Izzy wasn't tall enough), but I used to love the swings ride we had here at Valleyfair when I was a kid. I would love to ride it with her now.


Oh, wow, just realized neither of our girls has been on the original Soarin'! But the new one is great too.


Wow, impressive! I hope Emma follows suit!

I did have a cheap $99 room booked across the street, but the place was pretty ghetto haha and I knew we'd want some pool time, so I sprung for the GC room. (And cancelled the other one). Yeah they have begun work I think? On that road across the street, it's demolishing a couple hotels and then making an over the street walkway or something? IDK I Haven't really looked into it too much.

Ugh IDK how to share a Facebook video. I don't take many videos (and can't see if they work at work anyway) so I'll just leave them out. Although I do have a really cute one of Maya on Small World I'd like to figure out how to share!

Yeah sky school not flight school haha. I put my phone away after that pic too bc I thought it was going to fly from my hand. I am pretty sure we rode it again during the trip but it isn't a favorite.

Nope, they were both too short and then Soarin was closed when Aria hit 40" so she only knows it as Soarin around the world, but she does love it!

Ugh, I really hope Emma is a good sleeper too. I have always said a lot has to do with parents and how they handle kids sleeping, and thought I'd eat my words with Maya considering all her issues, but she has always been a good sleeper, so maybe that's the case. IDK. I think I value my sleep too much to let her set her sleep hours :-D

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Definitely different thinking of room costs at Disneyland vs at WDW. I think with Grand Californian you are definitely paying for the location and also as there is such limited DVC there trying to rent points is so different than at WDW. Bummer about the people in the hallway making noise though - wonder what was up (or, sometimes, people are just jerks )

Looks like a pretty fun afternoon - other than Aria not wanting to do some rides again with you mom.

I agree about the Redwood Challenge Trail ... and you don't hear much talk about it that it feels like a bit of a hidden treasure of a place.

Nice to have that bonus time though

 

[Dugette]

Ugh IDK how to share a Facebook video. I don't take many videos (and can't see if they work at work anyway) so I'll just leave them out. Although I do have a really cute one of Maya on Small World I'd like to figure out how to share!

I know this is a roundabout way, but if you share them with just me on FB, I could probably upload into my Vimeo account, then send you the link to post them? Just an option.

 

[Imagineer5]

Definitely different thinking of room costs at Disneyland vs at WDW. I think with Grand Californian you are definitely paying for the location and also as there is such limited DVC there trying to rent points is so different than at WDW. Bummer about the people in the hallway making noise though - wonder what was up (or, sometimes, people are just jerks )

Looks like a pretty fun afternoon - other than Aria not wanting to do some rides again with you mom.

I agree about the Redwood Challenge Trail ... and you don't hear much talk about it that it feels like a bit of a hidden treasure of a place.

Nice to have that bonus time though

Agreed, although I def feel like the room prices are just too high at DL. I guess supply and demand - people pay those prices every day!

Yeah Redwood Creek is so much fun, I look forward to revisiting when Maya will be able to do more than be held in our arms

I know this is a roundabout way, but if you share them with just me on FB, I could probably upload into my Vimeo account, then send you the link to post them? Just an option.

Oh thanks for the offer! That sounds like a lot of extra work (for you) lol but I'll keep it in mind!

 

[Imagineer5]

I hope you guys don't mind the (fast) pace of this TR. I mentioned before I've checked out of work (mentally anyway) and have lined up work for my return in Mid-July. I've had a LOT of cramping and lower back pain, so we'll see how early she decides to grace us with her presence. I just really want to not be in the hospital on April 12th, as that is Aria's Kindergarten Registration day (not that we'll miss signing her up forever if we don't go, but I really want to walk around the school with her and check it out!).

Another reason I stayed onsite this trip was due to the hours during the days we were there. On Day 2, there were early hours at DL from 7-8. The other two mornings, DCA was opening early for on-site guests online (at 8am). I really didn't want to be behind those people!

So this morning we left the room by 6AM - which was easy because 1) we didn't sleep well and 2) it felt like 9AM haha.

Before going through security we stopped at Starbucks at DTD. Aria picked out some snacks and milk

The Starbucks is huge!! It was so nice to treat myself to a fun coffee drink on vaca!! (I only go to Starbucks maybe 2 times a year at home, because I always get those $6 crazy high sugar drinks when I go haha).

(TMI for a second) This morning is the first time I started wondering where my monthly visitor was. I'm NEVER EVER late. EVER. And I was 1 day late. I chalked it up to my mom driving me crazy though. Even here at Starbucks, I was ordering everyone's food and drinks, making my coffee, feeding Maya her morning bottle, making sure everyone had snacks. Then shortly afterwards Maya was ready for a big diaper change, took both girls to do that, etc. Planning our plan of attack for the park lol. It was just a lot, a bit overwhelming to be honest, so I didn't give it much more thought. It really wasn't until I was in San Diego, really on the last day, that I truly felt like something was up. So I moved on and decided to just enjoy my DL time. So you WILL see me riding everything, drinking/eating whatever, etc, and if that bothers you then feel free to move on lol. Little Emma was smaller than a pin-dot at the time, so I don't think she was affected by riding the rides and such.

Moving on, so we made it to the gates at 6:27AM

I let Maya out to roam around the ground

I'm not a germophobe, sorry if these pics disturb you! lol

Aria was content eating some snacks in the stroller, but Maya wanted to be freeee so it was a good time to do that!

Eventually Aria came out and woke up a bit more

Then some early morning pixie dust happened!! A lady in the line next to us offered Aria to choose a pin from her lanyard. She also offered one to a boy in her line. We chatted for quite some time (my mom talked to my Step-Father on the phone during this whole exchange). After talking for a while, a CM came over to see what was going on, and offered to let us all "open" Disneyland! WHAT!

The one getting out of her scooter is the one who created the magic moment!

Our view - we got to open Disneyland! And didn't get any more photos But It was so special! Maya was a bit nervous at all the noise, so I covered up her ears.

Then since we were ahead of the streams of people coming in, we fast-walked past the castle opting to come back later for a pic. Somehow there was already a CRAZY line OUTSIDE of Fantasyland for Peter Pan, so my 2nd option was Alice in Wonderland. This is a really great ride that only DL has!

In order to do the highest wait time rides, we headed next door to the Matterhorn! Aria and I rode together while my mom stood with Maya in the stroller.

Aria didn't like the seating configuration (like Space at WDW) and how she couldn't sit next to me.

The ride didn't go over very well - the Yeti TOTALLY freaked her out. She has said many, many times she wants to go back to Disneyland but NEVER EVER wants to ride the Yeti Ride again. Unfortunately she watched a EE video and saw a similar Yeti and has said she has zero interest in riding it (but has already agreed to ride once in June). At least she'll be next to me (or DH) and I think she'll like that ride more.

Soooo my mom opted to ride by herself. On our last DL visit, SO many rides were down (including Alice, Nemo, Indiana Jones, Pirates, etc) for the whole trip, so those were my must-dos. So that's where we headed - Nemo! Here they have a Submarine Voyage ride so I took the girls over there while my mom rode the Matterhorn.

Maya was being SO cute on the ride!! She was chattering away and loving the fish.

We really enjoyed it!! Although holding a baby and making sure your 4-year-old doesn't fall on the steep steps was a challenge getting in & out haha.

My mom was waiting by the stroller, so we all went to ride Buzz with no wait, and then headed back towards the castle for our photo.

The park was officially open now - so during that first hour we rode Alice, Matterhorn, Nemo and Buzz. Not bad but not great. The crowds were definitely higher than I'm used to at MK during the first hour! I REALLY wanted to ride the Storybookland Canal boats, so that was our next stop. Upon our arrival, Maya was passed out in the stroller and the line was already snaking through, but I decided to pick up Maya letting her nap in my arms.

It took about 20 minutes to get through the line (it's very slowwww boarding) but it let Maya have a really good nap - she slept through the whole ride too

This was a favorite as a kid (and also was closed in 2014!!) so we really enjoyed it.

Next up we went next door to Casey Junior train, and Maya woke up on the walk over.

We were on and off in 5 minutes - perfect! Another must-do was Small World. Again, it was closed in 2014 (seriously, it was ridiculous!).

I told Aria all about this ride being different, and that we had to look for the Disney Characters hidden around the ride. She LOVED that idea!

Oh my mom sat this one out because she doesn't like the song. Her loss!

Maya was having an absolute BLAST on the ride. She was trying to dance and sing along. I have a video, I'm going to try and upload it vs posting a link via Facebook. (it'll be in the next post if successful).

It was just about 10AM at this point, and Aria was VERY ready to see her favorite part of the park!!

 

[Imagineer5]

Now video is too large to upload. IDK here is a direct link:

https://www.facebook.com/lauren.geurtsen/videos/vb.35002133/10100664313003561/?type=3&theater

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So we are the same as you with Starbucks - except instead of twice a year we go twice a week

That is so cool you got to open the park! And super cool they targeted someone giving out their own magical moment to sort of "reward" that

It's crazy how fast the line for Peter Pan builds up there - ever more so than at WDW. That's not a bad first hour especially since you got on the Story Book boats with only 20 mins wait right after

I do like the Disney Characters being added to Small World (though I know it was quite the controversy to the locals when they did it) - glad Maya enjoyed it so much!

 

[ariane37]

Loving your DL TR portion! I was there once, way back in 1995, and besides it being totally different I hardly remember anything. Hoping to get there in the somewhat near future with the boys...........

After talking for a while, a CM came over to see what was going on, and offered to let us all "open" Disneyland! WHAT!

Fantastic!

he ride didn't go over very well - the Yeti TOTALLY freaked her out. She has said many, many times she wants to go back to Disneyland but NEVER EVER wants to ride the Yeti Ride again.

Wait, I had no idea there was a Yeti on the Matterhorn! Of course I think it sounds cool but that stinks it scared Aria. Hoping she likes EE!

Nemo! Here they have a Submarine Voyage ride so I took the girls over there while my mom rode the Matterhorn.

I know you're younger than I am but do you remember the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction at WDW? Same as this basically with a different theme. I have fond memories of riding with my grandmother and I loved it.

I told Aria all about this ride being different, and that we had to look for the Disney Characters hidden around the ride. She LOVED that idea!

I love the idea of the characters being hidden throughout the ride!

 

[Dugette]

I just really want to not be in the hospital on April 12th, as that is Aria's Kindergarten Registration day (not that we'll miss signing her up forever if we don't go, but I really want to walk around the school with her and check it out!).

I hope the timing works out! Interesting it's April - I saw a bunch of FB posts around here of people going to K open houses in February (seemed so early!)

Even here at Starbucks, I was ordering everyone's food and drinks, making my coffee, feeding Maya her morning bottle, making sure everyone had snacks. Then shortly afterwards Maya was ready for a big diaper change, took both girls to do that, etc. Planning our plan of attack for the park lol. It was just a lot, a bit overwhelming to be honest, so I didn't give it much more thought.

I'm overwhelmed just reading about it all.

I'm not a germophobe, sorry if these pics disturb you! lol

Ha, I'm not either, so doesn't bother me. Also, it's Disney, there's a decent chance that brick is cleaner than most kitchen floors.

After talking for a while, a CM came over to see what was going on, and offered to let us all "open" Disneyland! WHAT!

Wow, that's pretty awesome!

Oh my mom sat this one out because she doesn't like the song. Her loss!

She must REALLY hate it to miss seeing her granddaughters' reactions. But I know many people do hate it that much. Should have offered her those noise-blocking earmuff things.

 

[Imagineer5]

So we are the same as you with Starbucks - except instead of twice a year we go twice a week

That is so cool you got to open the park! And super cool they targeted someone giving out their own magical moment to sort of "reward" that

It's crazy how fast the line for Peter Pan builds up there - ever more so than at WDW. That's not a bad first hour especially since you got on the Story Book boats with only 20 mins wait right after

I do like the Disney Characters being added to Small World (though I know it was quite the controversy to the locals when they did it) - glad Maya enjoyed it so much!

LOL I really do love starbucks, but just can't stomach that price! I'd have to set aside $100 a month if I went there a couple days a week.

Yes, it was really neat! Opening the park wasn't even on my radar getting there so early, but it was so sweet they were paying attention to the crowd and saw that sweet lady who was starting out the day with her own pixie dust.

We actually never rode Peter Pan at DL this trip, because of the crazy lines!! Definitely missed the FP option.

Small World Disney characters was definitely a point of contention for some, but I always loved that idea. Aria still talks about Small World at Disneyland being WAY better than WDW.

Loving your DL TR portion! I was there once, way back in 1995, and besides it being totally different I hardly remember anything. Hoping to get there in the somewhat near future with the boys...........


Fantastic!


Wait, I had no idea there was a Yeti on the Matterhorn! Of course I think it sounds cool but that stinks it scared Aria. Hoping she likes EE!


I know you're younger than I am but do you remember the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction at WDW? Same as this basically with a different theme. I have fond memories of riding with my grandmother and I loved it.


I love the idea of the characters being hidden throughout the ride!

Yes, the Matterhorn is super jerky which didn't help, but the Yeti jumping out TOTALLY freaked her out. I didn't even think about it!

I have heard about the 20000 leagues ride - that's what the Nemo ride was based off of I think! But I never got to ride it. Looks like it closed in 1994 and my first Disney World visit wasn't until 2000 (I was 18 and saved up enough to do Yacht Club for a week). I am sure though that I rode it at Disneyland growing up, but I don't honestly remember it

I hope the timing works out! Interesting it's April - I saw a bunch of FB posts around here of people going to K open houses in February (seemed so early!)


I'm overwhelmed just reading about it all.


Ha, I'm not either, so doesn't bother me. Also, it's Disney, there's a decent chance that brick is cleaner than most kitchen floors.


Wow, that's pretty awesome!


She must REALLY hate it to miss seeing her granddaughters' reactions. But I know many people do hate it that much. Should have offered her those noise-blocking earmuff things.

Yeah I've seen a number of people already posting about being signed up for K, but no ours doesn't until April & May depending on the particular school. NBD though, gave me time to get Aria in for her 5-year appointment a little late lol! (That was fun with shots...).

I think she was a little sad to hear about missing Maya's reaction on the ride, and I know I was annoyed that she sat it out lol, but oh well, it was a great memory from the trip either way.

 

[Imagineer5]

So right around the corner from It's a Small World is one of the main reasons Aria LOVES Disneyland and wishes we could go back - ToonTown! She loves the Mickey & Minnie houses the most! On our last trip (and every other one I can remember) ToonTown didn't open up until 10AM and they had a little opening ceremony. So that is why I was shooting for 10AM to be at Toontown. Well, it was wide-open and turns out it opened up along with the rest of the park! Whoops. Not letting that deter us we carried on, but noticed that Goofy was coming out and there were only a couple people waiting!

I just had Aria run up as I think it was time for Maya's next bottle so she was eating on the go in the stroller. At this age she was still refusing to hold her own bottle (Aria did the same, apparently I have lazy babies) so I was holding it and pushing the stroller.

We had really great timing despite the hours mishap, Minnie's house was open with a "10 Minute" wait which was actually 0 - leaving us with not much time to actually play in the house! But we did stop and the girls enjoyed it a lot.

At the back of the house, Minnie meets! We went right out to meet her.

Afterwards we tried to see Mickey's House but he was taking a break and they weren't allowing people in the house, so instead we checked out Gadget's Go Coaster - very similar to Barnstormer. It has a 35" height requirement (and I believe it says 3+ which is annoying, as I remember Aria LOVING Barnstormer before she was 3!). Of course that wasn't an issue for my 40incher.

Still so fun though. We switched afterwards since there was no wait (a huge positive to being in the far back of the park!) and my mom rode with Aria. Maya and I walked through the treehouse and then met up with them at Mickey's house.

We got yelled at by a CM for letting Maya sit up there...oops.

Soon Mickey came and instead of meeting him in a back room, he met in the entry way to his house!

We were still able to check out the house afterwards though (or had the option to just leave) so that was fun.

The theming in ToonTown is so cute! Afterwards we checked out a car

Then Goofy's playhouse which has some interactive things outside and in. This would be even more fun now with Maya - she wasn't a huge fan of crawling on this material.

Inside there's a piano, a chest of drawers, and some other things kids can open and close and make fun noises. It's pretty cute!

After this I was able to drag Aria away from Toontown with the promise of SPLASH MOUNTAIN! Her favorite from our last Disney trip. My mom took Maya on Winnie the Pooh while Aria & I rode Splash (and grabbed a RS).

It's not set up side-by-side here and unfortunately our experience on the Matterhorn made Aria a little bit more scared of the ride.

She wasn't too happy about it at the end, and didn't want to immediately ride again. Boo!

So instead we hopped on Winnie the Pooh all together.

I don't know why, but I just LOVE the Disneyland version so much more. I love the start where you board outside, and other than that maybe it's not that different, but it's also so perfect to ride while older kids ride Splash right next door. Bonus - it's in the back of the park with nothing around but Splash Mountain so it seems like we never had a wait to ride ever! (We rode this about 15 times on our previous trip haha).

At this point, I was *hugely* hankering to ride my very favorite ride. So we split up and my mom took Aria & Maya over to ride the Haunted Mansion, and then grab some lunch. I was here:

Sorry took the pic while running haha! The set up here is pretty poor design, but nice they offer single rider I guess. You have to stop at a CM outside the ride to grab a Single Rider ticket, then go up the exit (with all the exiting riders giving you funny looks). Then stop at a CM who has to stop traffic to let you cross over into a new line. Do some switchbacks, then stop and you're at the mercy of the CM in the video room to let the lined-up Single Riders in the line to get over to the elevator. This is weird bc you enter the main line at this point. Then after 5 minutes or so, you get to the elevator, take it up, walk across the landing, take another elevator down. There was NEVER a single rider line at this point at boarding - which means their methods are inefficient and this takes WAY MORE TIME than it should. Unfortunately, the wait for the ride had been over 90 minutes. So I stood around the movie room waiting for the CM to *finally* let the single rider line in, and the ride broke down. Of course, I didn't have any service so couldn't update my mom.

I stuck it out though because he let us in, we were able to get to the elevator, go over and down, and then it broke down again! Argh so close!

Finally I did get to ride. But it was about 1 hour later that I joined my mom! Maya was fussy because she was exhausted, my mom was frazzled because she didn't know what was going on (understandably) and Aria was happily playing on a brick wall. I put Maya in the stroller and reclined her seat, and set off to find some food for myself - everyone else had already eaten, and my mom wanted to leave the park.

Instead of leaving too, I got a bread bowl with vegetarian gumbo at the Royal Street Veranda along with the fritters (which Aria tasted 1 bite of) and a frozen coffee. Normally I don't do caffeine after 8AM, but tonight was a late night so I thought this was warranted!

This was my view:

Aria wanted to sit in the stroller lol so she was obviously pretty tired too. I thoroughly enjoyed lunch - one of the best CS options at any Disney park!

Eventually I headed out, deciding we needed some pool time during the hottest part of the day!

Coming up - a little pool time, then back to the park for Blue Bayou with a Paint the Night package!

 

[mousehappync]

Ok-- so your mom is driving ME a little crazy, too. My mom is the worst about totally overindulging/making excuses for bad behavior, but at least she's attempting to help? (Although I will say, about four days into living with her, I think she finally "got it." JH was pulling some shennagin and not behaving, and she actually spoke sharply to him and told him to get up and knock it off. He was so surprised he immediately became a model child!)You were having to do way too much without help!

Your morning looks AMAZING though!! My dream (that I've tried to convince my kids is their dream, but let's be honest here) is to open a park. My jealousy knows no bounds right now! And how is it possible that even though you were in first there was a huge line for PP? We didn't ride it because of that, too. I loved all the different little dark rides (Mr Toad was my favorite) in DL Fantasyland. And I'm with Aria-- Matterhorn NO! I'm not scare of the Yeti, but I am scared I'll slip a disc! And the subs are SO much fun. We all just loved that ride.

We missed ToonTown entirely-- I felt like all we did at DL was wait in line, and we missed a lot. But we DID ride IJ 3x! Only one was with the stand-by line, but boy is that a cool queue. I didn't even realize they have single rider, but it seems awfully inefficient, anyway.

Your gumbo and bread bowl look so yummy-- I will broken record and say that the food there is SO much better!!

 

[Imagineer5]

Ok-- so your mom is driving ME a little crazy, too. My mom is the worst about totally overindulging/making excuses for bad behavior, but at least she's attempting to help? (Although I will say, about four days into living with her, I think she finally "got it." JH was pulling some shennagin and not behaving, and she actually spoke sharply to him and told him to get up and knock it off. He was so surprised he immediately became a model child!)You were having to do way too much without help!

Your morning looks AMAZING though!! My dream (that I've tried to convince my kids is their dream, but let's be honest here) is to open a park. My jealousy knows no bounds right now! And how is it possible that even though you were in first there was a huge line for PP? We didn't ride it because of that, too. I loved all the different little dark rides (Mr Toad was my favorite) in DL Fantasyland. And I'm with Aria-- Matterhorn NO! I'm not scare of the Yeti, but I am scared I'll slip a disc! And the subs are SO much fun. We all just loved that ride.

We missed ToonTown entirely-- I felt like all we did at DL was wait in line, and we missed a lot. But we DID ride IJ 3x! Only one was with the stand-by line, but boy is that a cool queue. I didn't even realize they have single rider, but it seems awfully inefficient, anyway.

Your gumbo and bread bowl look so yummy-- I will broken record and say that the food there is SO much better!!

Seriously, it already was a last ditch effort to bring the girls to DL with me that I asked her to come, but never again :-/ She never has anything positive to say - and DEFINITELY no over-indulging. Honestly no one on either side of my family spoils the girls, so I tend to :-D but yeah I found it easier in December just doing it all myself, since I didn't have anyone else to be annoyed at for not helping lol! (does that make any sense).

It's a bucket list thing of mine to be Family of the Day at MK, so I totally get it. I was really floored when it happened at DL, although it was just doing a countdown and then going on our way lol. IDK how the line for PP was so long already - I *bet* if we had hopped in line, it would have moved really fast, but TBH I was more concerned about the rides not at WDW so I made a split second decision to go to Alice instead.

I rode IJ 3x too. LOL! All via SR just because the line was ALWAYS crazy long, but they really need to work on their methods - it doesn't affect stand by at all, so we shouldn't have to wait on stand by just to get to the loading platform.

Yeah the food was fantastic across the board (spoiler alert). I'm not a CS-type of person (although finding myself doing it more with more kids around and less $$ and time hahaha) but that bread bowl is just delicious and such a nice change. New Orleans Square is my favorite area of any Disney park - I just LOVE the feel of it. Oh, that's another bucket list item, staying in the dream suite!

 

[schmass]

I'm sorry that your mom wasn't being very helpful - it is so frustrating when you have an able-bodied adult right there with you and you are still doing everything for everyone! You guys look like you had a lot of fun in spite of it, though. Toon Town is so cute and Aria looks like she had a blast! I'm glad you finally made it on to Indiana Jones - I loved that ride when we went! Your lunch looks so good!

 

[Imagineer5]

I'm sorry that your mom wasn't being very helpful - it is so frustrating when you have an able-bodied adult right there with you and you are still doing everything for everyone! You guys look like you had a lot of fun in spite of it, though. Toon Town is so cute and Aria looks like she had a blast! I'm glad you finally made it on to Indiana Jones - I loved that ride when we went! Your lunch looks so good!

It was all great! It WAS nice having her there so I could ride IJ! <3

 

[Imagineer5]

When we got back to the room it was about 1PM and Maya had had an early nap (thanks time change!). My mom just wanted to relax, so I took Aria & Maya down to the pool. I left her float in the room since it was just too much stuff to bring. Since we seem to join the crowds at the pool, once again I couldn't find a chair so I just parked the stroller near the kiddie pool.

Aria spent a little time doing the slide but it was busier today, so we ended up playing with the pool toys in the kiddie pool again.

No more pics, but I know at one point I flagged down a server and ordered a drink haha, and very much enjoyed that. It was really nice having the shallow kiddie pool and both kids enjoying it!

After an hour or so we headed back for baths - this time I didn't torture Maya into a shower and instead gave the girls a quick bath then they played with my mom while I showered.

^ In the background of that photo you can see our view into DCA, which included the monorail. It was very quiet, and really fun to watch it zoom by.

Maya was being cute on the bed

I took this photo because we had somehow accumulated a number of RS's. My mom & Aria rode Star Tours earlier (sorry my trip reporting has a case of preggo brain). But notice the dates- the rider switch passes are paper with the rides written or stamped in. At DCA they generally did NOT put a date down, but at DL they did, for the same day but that meant we had a number of RS's to use that evening! I also had grabbed FP's for Space since it has a 40" height requirement at DL!

We headed back out to the park around 3:30, only to encounter a really long security line!

This was okay, it gave Maya a chance to take another nap. I was *really* nervous about Maya's napping this trip. Our last Disney trip she wouldn't sit in her car seat, and she's never taken to the stroller like Aria did (Aria still loves the stroller haha). BUT thank goodness, she did GREAT and napped like a champ - usually falling asleep before I wanted her too lol.

Soon we made it through the gates, and randomly we saw TWO princesses out in the front meeting! So naturally we had to stop!

Aria's dress had Disney books all over it, and both princesses enjoyed chatting with her about the stories it depicted. Really cute!

After that unexpected meet, we headed left towards New Orleans square, as we had an early dinner package! We still had a little time, so Aria and I left to use the RS for BTMRR (Aria had also ridden this with my mom earlier lol) while my mom hung out with Maya. I thought she was going to check us in for dinner and request a water-side table. Let's see how that goes...

When the ride was over - which BTW Aria wasn't a huge fan of due to the new explosions near the end - whereas I thought it was SUPER awesome! - I texted my mom asking for our wait time. She hadn't checked us in. So I asked her to, knowing we could wait a half hour for a waterside table. She said she would.

When I got to Blue Bayou, where we had a Paint the Night reserved seating area package booked, my mom had JUST woken up Maya and was in line to check in. WHAT?! WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU WAKE UP MAYA woman!? Seriously? Maya was literally SCREAMING. Oh, I was SO SO mad. Again, I told her to request a waterside table early knowing we'd have a wait, she KNEW this. OOOH. I was so mad. LOL.

I took Maya and got her settled down, checked us in, was told it'd be about 35 minutes, and walked off with Aria and Maya in my arms. We checked out the stores there while poor Maya woke up fully.

I used to LOVE this Crystal shop and the one on Main Street. Growing up I always bought one souvenir from one of them each trip to Disneyland.

We ended up buying a Pirate Minnie and three little pirate tsum's from one of the shops and then joined my mother in the waiting area.

And eventually we were seated at our waterside table lol. Maya had settled down thankfully, and I prepared a bottle for her and got out the finger snacks I had for her.

She was also LOVING her pirate tsum tsums and those kept her busy pretty much the whole meal!

Despite the sausage, I ordered the gumbo to start with and it was delicious!

(The Paint the Night package comes with an appetizer choice of salad or gumbo, entrée and dessert)

Aria's meal came with an appetizer of veggie sticks, and that worked out perfectly as she loves carrots.

My mom had a salad and iced tea.

In between courses, the girls enjoyed playing with the new stuffed animals. Sorry for the grainy photos, my cell took terrible dark ones!

For our entrees, my mom and I both got the Portobello Mushroom and Louisiana Popcorn Rice served with a Roasted Corn, Sun-dried Tomato, and Bell Pepper Macque Choux, Sautéed Spinach, and Balsamic Reduction and it was really good!

I'm sure Aria ate some of her entrée, whatever that was...:-D but she LOVED her chocolate mickey dessert

And I enjoyed some crème brulee. By this point Maya was done with her high chair and I was done picking up thrown toys and food.

We headed out, tickets in hand, and trekked to the other side of the park to use our Space Mountain FP's. It had the Star Wars overlay.

Aria brought her pirate Minnie with her in line

She was definitely nervous about this ride, and the FP line took foreverrrrr (or what felt like it!). But finally we were on. It was really nice getting to sit next to her for her first Space Mountain experience (vs lined up at WDW). She did pretty good but didn't come off the ride loving it. Despite that, she said she'll try out the WDW one since she'll pass the 44" mark for our next trip!

We headed out of the ride and met up with my mom. Bathrooms were right there so I got Maya's bottle ready and got her into PJ's as it was about 6:30PM, and then headed off to use the Star Tours RS we also had from a ride earlier in the day that my mom & Aria took. Aria LOVES this ride, which honestly surprises me because it's dark, and star wars themed...

All strapped in and ready!

Afterwards we headed over to get in line for the Paint the night package location. I fed Maya her bottle in line and she fell asleep just like at home (it was like the last suck of the bottle put her in a deep sleep, amazing!) and we just enjoyed relaxing for a bit. Eventually we got to a decent spot along the curb and I took out the light up stuff I had picked up from the dollar store and we played with those for quite a while.

The little sleepyhead

Aria loved playing with the light up bracelets

Shortly before the show, I put Maya's ear muffs on, but they didn't help when the actual parade started and she still woke up.

I think this one (Monesters Inc) was my favorite float:

After that we headed out of the park. I really enjoyed the parade, although had heard so many great amazing things about it that I was slightly underwhelmed, and honestly I prefer the daytime Festival of Fantasy. Which I find funny bc TheMaxRebo said the exact opposite thing! lol I'm glad we watched it once, but we're just not late-night people so it was a lot of effort to stay so late (especially with the time change).

We had a quick walk back to the room, and thankfully we all slept very soundly overnight! Maya being in the back corner of the room really helped her sleep, and I grabbed some extra pillows to put over my head. Note to self: ear plugs would have been good to have on this trip!

Coming up next: early morning at DCA, Ariel's Grotto lunch, some special time with Aria at a Frozen special event package and a surprisingly great Downtown Disney evening! stay tuned <3

 

[schmass]

Aria always looks so happy - I can tell that she is a great little traveler.

Your portabello mushroom dinner sounds amazing! I'm glad that you got Maya calm after her rude awakening!

That picture of Maya with the earmuffs and pacifier is so, so adorable.

Paint the Night looks amazing. I have to see that some day. Rory would love it, I think!

 

[Imagineer5]

Aria always looks so happy - I can tell that she is a great little traveler.

Your portabello mushroom dinner sounds amazing! I'm glad that you got Maya calm after her rude awakening!

That picture of Maya with the earmuffs and pacifier is so, so adorable.

Paint the Night looks amazing. I have to see that some day. Rory would love it, I think!

I read TR's of kiddos having meltdowns - and I'm sure we'll get there someday with Maya (once we're past the baby meltdown stage lol) but I don't know if Aria has *ever* had one at Disney. She is always so happy to be there. Really makes for easy fun trips!

The extra little Tsum toys really helped with Maya's attitude hahahaha (I guess I'm teaching her bribery early on!) but I was just so worried - it's such a quiet dark restaurant that a screaming baby would NOT have been good!

Paint the night was very neat - I have heard rumors for a while that it was replacing the main street electrical parade, but something about the floats being too heavy for the bridge in Frontierland or something? I think that's right. IDK. I am honestly surprised they haven't added back in a nighttime parade at the MK, but that was the last rumor I heard about it (maybe trying to strengthen the bridge?). Take this with a grain of salt, I could just be pulling that out of no where.

I'd def see it again, don't get me wrong, but I do tend to like the daytime stuff better. (I enjoyed it 1000x more than MSEP!)

 

[mousehappync]

Aria was really brave about the "big" rides! Difference in boys and girls- mine wait for that explosion and get sooooooo excited when it goes off. The louder the better..... My poor ears. And Space at her age really is brave-- I love the DL version SO much (I would leave the WDW version forever off my list if my family didn't like it so much.).

Your mom..... Oh, boy. Seriously, she reminds me SO much of mine. I am making mental notes about ALL the things I can do to be helpful to my kids when they have their own families now--sheesh. At least your food was good?!

I'm not a huge parade person-- I do like FoF, and I LOVE the MNSSHP parade, but I found the Electrical Parade at WDW kind of annoying. You had good seats, though! And I love Maya's "whaaaaaat?!" face-- it just seem SO crazy to a baby!

I had the strongest feeling baby Emma was/is arriving today-- weird, huh? You could still totally make K registration if she did!