Well, we are back and here's my update:
Plane ride down was HORRIBLE - she screamed for a solid hour like I have never heard her scream. I think the problem was it was during AM nap time and she just doesn't nap in our arms. We had a million toys, books (new and old), every possible food, lollipops (which she kind of liked but had a sticky mess all over both of us and herself). The way back was better but not great. We didnt try a DVD because she has never watched TV and I don't think it would hold her interest - I tried a few minutes before we left and she could care less. DD5 watched a movie on the ipod and DD1 ignored it but it is a small screen.
She napped in the stroller (which amazed me) so some days we did 3/4 days leaving for an afternoon nap or right after and I think just one day we went back for the PM nap. Her bedtime is 7 and she went to bed between 7-8 most nights, 9:45 one night. It would have been way easier if she only needed one nap a day but she really still needs that AM nap. We didn't have any late evening stuff planned so that worked out fine. One thing that was a pain was not being able to take the stroller in many attractions when she napped so we went in shops, one parent sat with her while the other went on rides with our older DD, or we had a snack, one time we spent over an hour on rocking chairs on a porch shop which was nice.
We had a city mini double stroller from orlando stroller rental and it was awesome - we took it one day we didn't need the double just because she napped so well in it and it had such a generous sun shade. We also had an ESPRIT speed sun (like Maclaren triumph).
No sippies needed because she drinks out of a straw and I would recommend that route - it is just so much easier. We had disposable bibs and the stick on table covers for every meal and that worked out well. She ate our food and we usually ordered her a milk which I think we only got charged for once. Most restaurants do have whole milk and then the mickey milk which is 1% and some have skim too. At Tutto Italio, under 3 can order an entree (no sides) for free. We were on the
DDP.
DD does some sign language (baby signs) and I just love this. I taught her the sign for mickey mouse before we left and it was so cool to see her all excited and doing the mickey sign there. One day she was drinking milk and stopped and kept pointing to the carton and bouncing in her high chair. She kept signing "milk" and "mickey mouse" because she saw the picture of mickey on the box of milk. She loved the princesses too and I meant to teach her a sign for princess but I forgot to look it up (she gets excited when she sees DD5's princess stuff at home). She also said "pooh" and "balloon" about a million times there.
Night: She fell asleep in pack n play ok but if we were still in the room, she'd stick her head up and call for us laughing. She did better if we went out on the porch til she fell asleep.
Interesting thing on characters: I was told she could not stand with the characters if she didn't have shoes on (I had to hold her). She is not walking yet so I didn't usually have her in shoes but brought them for playing in play areas.
She will not wear a sunhat at all (although I had one for each outfit!) and I think the sun bothered her eyes a little. I covered her in sunscreen each morning and then reapplied with a spray (she loved the spray) every couple hours and she didn't even get a bit of tan.
We ordered groceries from garden grocer and had breakfast in the room each day. Both kids are hungry first thing so this worked out great. I brought an inflatable booster thing that she sat on and it was a good thing because even my 5 year old had a hard time reaching the table. Also having some beer and snacks was nice for us to enjoy on the deck since we had early nights.
We didn't take a diaper bag to the parks - just a pack with diapers and wipes (I forgot a changing pad though!!!), and a granola bar - often she was hungry (signing furiously) and we weren't ready to eat yet. We also took her security bankie with us - it helps her fall asleep - we let her have it too much (take on rides, etc) but it really helped her be content when she was not fully rested (if nap was short). At home, it is for in the crib only.
It was an enjoyable trip I think she loved the people, characters, meals, rides, pool (although often missed because she was napping), family time, etc. It was a nice age but not super easy because of her schedule (and becoming a beast off schedule). However, we go to Disney every 1-2 years and we didn't have too much of an agenda, didn't do any night activities, and just took it easy.
