There's a First Time for Everything! A Christmas In November TR

[pmama]

Looks like you had a great night at Backyard BBQ. I think my girls would have loved this! The fact that it is outside at the mercy to bugs and weather has always scared me off but it looks like great fun!

 

[DaisyLynn]

I just love this picture! Every time I scroll past it in your sig I always notice how adorable and thrilled your DD looks with her Mickey's Premium!

I think I get that way with the frozen treats, too....

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

There is something absolutely magical about the sunset at Disney! You captured the lighting perfectly with your monorail shot!

I have never seen any pictures of the Barbeque! How fun! I am glad that DD was able to get over her fit and enjoy the night! I know how these meltdowns can really put a wrench in things.

Thank you! It was a gorgeous sunset. I really wish we had taken the ferry to get there. I bet it would have been beautiful on the water.

Yes, those meltdown moments can make you crazy! I remember reading about yours too! It was near the end of the trip though so I guess it had been building up. At least she got over it pretty quickly. Don't we all want all the other vacationers to go home so we can have Minnie all to ourselves?

Looks like you had a great night at Backyard BBQ. I think my girls would have loved this! The fact that it is outside at the mercy to bugs and weather has always scared me off but it looks like great fun!

I think your girls would have really enjoyed it. I worried about the weather a little too, but it is completely covered under a shelter. The weather would have to be absolutely horrible to ruin it for you. And we had no bugs at all, but it was November. Not sure how summer would be???

I just love this picture! Every time I scroll past it in your sig I always notice how adorable and thrilled your DD looks with her Mickey's Premium!

I think I get that way with the frozen treats, too....

I love that picture too. Such joy on both of those faces. And yes, we are all kids when we have a Mickey bar in our hands, aren't we!!!

 

[stace208]

Firstly, that monorail shot is great!
Secondly, what fun at Mickey's BBQ! Yours is the best and most positive I have ever seen about it. I looked into it before our last summer trip but didn't see very many good reviews. Then a friend recommended HDDR so we went with that. Now I wish we were doing the BBQ in April instead of HDDR again! Oh well, DS is so excited to do HDDR again so I will just add the BBQ to the "next time" list. Wonder how it would be in December...would it be too cold to enjoy yourself if they were having a cold spell?

I handle drama with my DD the same way. Fortunately, she's SO much better about it now than she was just a couple of years ago. Of course, it helps that she knows that when momma says "stop or we're leaving", momma means it!

I think your rude awakening might have been something hanging on your knob. I have enjoyed your TR so much I hate to even think that you are getting towards the end of your trip.

Still waiting for the OL revisit...it HAS to happen, right?

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Wow! I had never heard much about Mickey's Backyard BBQ! Thanks for posting so many pics/videos. We may have to consider that in the future. I think it's cool that the characters are so interactive

I love that you were able to get your DD to calm down and get back into the spirit! I hope my kids respond as well!
Can't wait to hear more! (since I haven't updated on my TR in a week!)

 

[wigdoutdismom]

You have sold us on the Backyard BBQ when Harper is old enough. So how old do you think she should be?

 

[sharonW]

Rinky...you are really on the BALL with your updates and I'm
lovin it!!!! The BBQ is just awesome!! Again, I must say
your pics are outstanding!! It seems you fit a lot of magic
into your disney adventure! Any plans for a future trip??

 

[ladybugmom]

WOW! Backyard BBQ looks like so much fun!! I, too, have not heard or seen much about it. I can totally relate with the DD drama! My Ally can be the same way!! And I just LOVE your pics from the boat with MK all lit up--beautiful!

 

[praisehisname]

The Backyard BBQ sounds really fun! Too bad my kids wouldn't go for it. Maybe I can take the grandkids...

Denise

 

[DisneyJo]

The BBQ looks like it was fun, although a bit busy! It must have been very cool for your DD to dance with the characters

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Firstly, that monorail shot is great!
Secondly, what fun at Mickey's BBQ! Yours is the best and most positive I have ever seen about it. I looked into it before our last summer trip but didn't see very many good reviews. Then a friend recommended HDDR so we went with that. Now I wish we were doing the BBQ in April instead of HDDR again! Oh well, DS is so excited to do HDDR again so I will just add the BBQ to the "next time" list. Wonder how it would be in December...would it be too cold to enjoy yourself if they were having a cold spell?

That's the problem with reviews. One person loves it and another hates it so you just don't know what to think. But once I really took note of what the reviewers were complaining about, it was basically the food and crowds. Most of the crowd complaints came from people who went in the summer or at peak times. I figured we wouldn't have that problem in November, and we didn't. It didn't even sell out the night we were there. And I went into it expecting the food to not be so great. But to me, it's worth it even with the not so fabulous food just because of the character interaction. There is just nothing else like it at Disney to my knowledge.

As for going in December, that's a tough one. We were there for 3 hours and that's a long time to be out if it's really cold. My suggestion would be to book it and also book a back-up dinner just incase the weather is cold that week. Then if the forecast says warm weather all week, you can cancel the back-up place. I know they don't want you to double book, but I think it is ok when you're dealing with an outdoor event. Just remember that it is a 2 credit meal (so worth it though) and it requires a 48 hour cancellation. Also, skip the first song and wait for the madness to end. All the kids rush the floor as soon as the characters come out, but it gets much better quickly! And don't worry if it rains. The shelter is huge and you won't get wet.

I handle drama with my DD the same way. Fortunately, she's SO much better about it now than she was just a couple of years ago. Of course, it helps that she knows that when momma says "stop or we're leaving", momma means it!

Same here. DH is the cream puff and I am the stern one. I guess it comes from my teaching days.

I think your rude awakening might have been something hanging on your knob. I have enjoyed your TR so much I hate to even think that you are getting towards the end of your trip.

Sounds like you've had one of those rude awakenings too! I don't want the TR to end either. It's been so much fun chatting with everyone! I might have a solution to keep it going just a little bit longer though.

Still waiting for the OL revisit...it HAS to happen, right?

Replies in red.

Wow! I had never heard much about Mickey's Backyard BBQ! Thanks for posting so many pics/videos. We may have to consider that in the future. I think it's cool that the characters are so interactive

I love that you were able to get your DD to calm down and get back into the spirit! I hope my kids respond as well!
Can't wait to hear more! (since I haven't updated on my TR in a week!)

I think the BBQ is the best character experience at Disney. I just don't know why you don't hear of more people doing it (other than the food not being fantastic).

DD knows that I won't put up with that mess but so long. She absolutely knew I would pack up and leave if I had to. I'm very glad she decided to get it together. I would have been so dissapointed if I had missed out on that fun!

You have sold us on the Backyard BBQ when Harper is old enough. So how old do you think she should be?

Hmmmm. I'd say 70% of the kids there were the same age or close to my DD. I think you could go at any age and have fun, but for me, I'd say 3 would be the youngest, just because they have to really get out there and make their way to the characters. If they are too little, they will just get mowed down. I saw people out there with babies though. They were just holding them and dancing with the characters. But if I had a really little one, I wouldn't go during a peak time or summer.

Rinky...you are really on the BALL with your updates and I'm
lovin it!!!! The BBQ is just awesome!! Again, I must say
your pics are outstanding!! It seems you fit a lot of magic
into your disney adventure! Any plans for a future trip??

Well it is really cold here so there isn't much else to do except DIS!

Thank you for your kind words! So nice of you. I spend many, many hours planning our trips. I just want everything to be as perfect as possible. So far it has paid off b/c we have had two fantastic trips. I don't mind all the planning anyway. I think it is one of the best parts about going.

As far as a future trip goes, all I can say is that there will absolutely be another trip in our future, but I have no idea when it will be. That makes me very sad!

WOW! Backyard BBQ looks like so much fun!! I, too, have not heard or seen much about it. I can totally relate with the DD drama! My Ally can be the same way!! And I just LOVE your pics from the boat with MK all lit up--beautiful!

I don't know why there is so little info on the BBQ. It doesn't make sense to me since it is such a great experience.

Daughters can be a handful can't they? I couldn't blame her for wanting everyone to leave so she could have the place to herself. We all feel like that when we are at Disney, don't we? But that's just not reality!

The Backyard BBQ sounds really fun! Too bad my kids wouldn't go for it. Maybe I can take the grandkids...

Denise

Yes, take the grandkids! It is great fun! I can't imagine anyone not enjoying themselves there.

The BBQ looks like it was fun, although a bit busy! It must have been very cool for your DD to dance with the characters

The first dance was insane, but after that it wasn't bad at all. DD still talks about dancing with Minnie and all the others. It make quite an impression on her!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Great update! The BBQ looked like a great, fun time! I think all kids are entitled to 1 meltdown on vacation-it's a big change from their every day routine. And I have to say, she seems like she has been exceptionally well behaved for as on the go as you have been.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Great update! The BBQ looked like a great, fun time! I think all kids are entitled to 1 meltdown on vacation-it's a big change from their every day routine. And I have to say, she seems like she has been exceptionally well behaved for as on the go as you have been.

It was great fun! And yes, I fully expected a meltdown or two while we were there. She did do very well overall. She is a real trooper when it comes to the parks and can hang right in there with the adults. In fact, she still wants to keep going most of the time when we are pooped, BUT that might be because she is riding and we are pushing! I wasn't too hard on her though, but I had to let her know she isn't the only child in the world. Sometimes she has trouble with that concept since she is an only child.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Rinky, thanks for the advice! I think we will wait until Harper is 5 anyway. Then we'll see if she's much of a scrapper!

 

[BippityBoo]

Hi!!! I am really enjoying your TR. I dont know if I have introduced myself yet GREAT review of the BBQ!!! Never something I thought I would want to try, but I am totally going to look into it! We stayed at the WL and I always wondered what we could do at Fort Wilderness b/c it is only a short boat ride away

Minnie is ADORABLE in her outfit with her boots! Your DD is so cute--looks like she had a blast!

 

[Panotchr]

I have never seen pictures of the BBQ!! Wow, so great! We might have to do that, but I think we will pass in July.

Did you hear we are expecting more snow tonight here in NC?????

 

[MaryAz]

What a fun night. Makes me want to change around my ADR's.....All that fun dancing with the characters. We have the same rule at our house, "you have a certain ammount of time to get yourself under control if you can't we are outta here"

 

[MeMom]

This is definitely on our list of things to do, but we are waiting until the girls are a little older. Maybe another couple of years. Brooklynn would love it now, of course, but for the price, I want both of them to be more into it. We'll give Bella a chance to get into dance party action so that she can join in the fun.

The videos are fun to watch. They add to really being able to share in on the trip. We tried to do more of that this time - even 15 second clips let you get the feel of what it was like.

I, too, love the colors and the warmth of a Florida close of the evening. So beautiful!

I commend you for your outlook on having a only child. Let her know that your world revolves around her, but the rest of the world doesn't. That attitude helps so much with social skills later on. I have seen so many only children who have issues in school because their loving parents didn't make them aware that the rest of the world didn't revolve around them. I know these parents dearly, dearly loved their kids, but they did them a disservice by not helping them realize their places in the bigger world outside their own homes.

 

[lexmas]

All caught up! I found your trip report this weekend and spent every free moment I had reading it! Mostly, that was when the baby was nursing, but lucky for me she's an eater and nurses every hour or two, so we were in business. I'd just head for the dis and hope she would fall asleep so I could keep reading!

Anyway, I've enjoyed reading about your trip so very much. I've laughed and cried, it's been a rollercoaster so far!

Your DD is so completely adorable , and all of you have such a nice family dynamic in your interactions. I love it.

Thanks for writing it, I can't wait for more!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Rinky, thanks for the advice! I think we will wait until Harper is 5 anyway. Then we'll see if she's much of a scrapper!

You're welcome! I think 4-10 years old is the perfect age for the BBQ. You can enjoy it at any age, but I think that's the ideal range. I don't blame you for waiting. I would too. It will be more special that way.

Hi!!! I am really enjoying your TR. I dont know if I have introduced myself yet GREAT review of the BBQ!!! Never something I thought I would want to try, but I am totally going to look into it! We stayed at the WL and I always wondered what we could do at Fort Wilderness b/c it is only a short boat ride away

Minnie is ADORABLE in her outfit with her boots! Your DD is so cute--looks like she had a blast!

I'm so glad you are joining in! The BBQ is fantastic (IMO anyway). Where else can you dance with the characters like that? We just loved it! There are lots of other things at FW too. I have several things on my list that we want to try on future trips, like riding the ponies, carriage or hay rides, and the campfire sing-a-long with Chip and Dale. Here's a link that tells you about all the activities available at FW: http://allears.net/acc/faq_fw.htm Scroll down almost to the bottom and there's a long list of fun stuff that goes on there. You might find some other things that your family would like as well.

I'm going to go check out your TR. It will take me a few days to get caught up though!

I have never seen pictures of the BBQ!! Wow, so great! We might have to do that, but I think we will pass in July.

Did you hear we are expecting more snow tonight here in NC?????

I don't blame you for passing on July. I would never go in that heat with those crowds! I don't think that would be fun at all.

I haven't heard about more snow! I'm going to have to go check the weather forecast!

What a fun night. Makes me want to change around my ADR's.....All that fun dancing with the characters. We have the same rule at our house, "you have a certain ammount of time to get yourself under control if you can't we are outta here"

It is great fun at the BBQ!!! You should check it out sometime.

Yeah, I have to put limits on her like that or she will just go on forever. I don't have much patience for that.

This is definitely on our list of things to do, but we are waiting until the girls are a little older. Maybe another couple of years. Brooklynn would love it now, of course, but for the price, I want both of them to be more into it. We'll give Bella a chance to get into dance party action so that she can join in the fun.

I don't blame you. I would wait too. Bella and Brooklyn will be soooo adorable out there gettin' down! You will love it!

You know, you guys really need to get to Disney during free dining sometime. Then you could check off lots of those places you want to try. We would never have eaten at all these great places without the free dining. I know you have APs, but I think you can still get the free dining if you buy a one day ticket (which would still be much cheaper than paying OOP for all those meals). I'm pretty sure I read that on OneTreeHillAddict's TR. Her family has APs too and they just buy the one day ticket to get the free dining. Maybe you could do that on a future October trip. I know they have been doing the FD into October for the last several years. Just a thought.

The videos are fun to watch. They add to really being able to share in on the trip. We tried to do more of that this time - even 15 second clips let you get the feel of what it was like.

I agree. I love to see video clips on a TR. It really does give you the feel of the moment that pictures can't do sometimes. I try to keep them short though b/c I know people are busy and don't have time to watch my whole vacation! So glad you got the video feature on your new camera. I thought you would find that handy with those sweet babies!

I, too, love the colors and the warmth of a Florida close of the evening. So beautiful!

I want to see that warm glow right now. It's cloudy and cold here again!

I commend you for your outlook on having a only child. Let her know that your world revolves around her, but the rest of the world doesn't. That attitude helps so much with social skills later on. I have seen so many only children who have issues in school because their loving parents didn't make them aware that the rest of the world didn't revolve around them. I know these parents dearly, dearly loved their kids, but they did them a disservice by not helping them realize their places in the bigger world outside their own homes.

Well, thank you! You know when my little peanut was born, I looked her over good and there wasn't a manual attached to her anywhere!! Imagine that! The Bible is my only guide and in all my reading, it has never said much about how to deal with drama queen moments! So parenting is an adventure sometimes, but I do the best I can to make the right choices on how to deal with her. I have an advantage though b/c I too was an only child, so I know how she is feeling and what she is thinking. And I agree, you do your kids a real disservice if you don't correct them, b/c if you don't do it, the real world will!

Replies in red.

All caught up! I found your trip report this weekend and spent every free moment I had reading it! Mostly, that was when the baby was nursing, but lucky for me she's an eater and nurses every hour or two, so we were in business. I'd just head for the dis and hope she would fall asleep so I could keep reading!

Anyway, I've enjoyed reading about your trip so very much. I've laughed and cried, it's been a rollercoaster so far!

Your DD is so completely adorable , and all of you have such a nice family dynamic in your interactions. I love it.

Thanks for writing it, I can't wait for more!

Thank you so much and I'm so glad to have new readers to chat with! I remember those sweet times with my baby as well! Enjoy every moment! They go by so fast! I'm glad I could give you something to do while you nurse though! I remember feeling like I was bolted to the chair for hours too! She would nurse forever (the little pig!) and then fall asleep on me and I had to stay there since she was such a light sleeper. I'd give anything to have those moments back though!

Our trip was a roller coaster of emotions for sure! But a good roller coaster, like Big Thunder Mountain!

I AM very blessed in the family department. I have a wonderful DH and DD. I count my blessings everyday and I am so thankful. We do get along great most of the time. I think that is because we are very blunt with one another. If my DH is being an idiot, I tell him, and he does the same for me. It just works for us!

So glad to have you here and kiss that sweet baby one time for me. I so miss that soft, sweet smelling baby skin.