WDW through an 8-month-old’s eyes &10m &13m &16m...New 10/30!

[Imagineer5]

Aria doesn't look so sure about that grocery cart LOL. She's adorable. And wow, that's a big cat!

Speaking of Aria, have you been watching PLL? LOL

No kids allowed at the wedding? Wha?

Hahaha she got used to it as time went on. That grocery cart cover might also come to Disney with us, she is so tiny that it helps her fit in high chairs better LOL.

Yes Jake is pretty big! Though our grey cat Max is 5lb heavier than Jake!

OF COURSE! Loving PLL!!

Yeah the wedding was super annoying. If DH hadn't been a groomsman I would have stayed home. I was really unhappy being "forced" to have a night away LOL. The groom's brother had a 2 MONTH OLD and I was sure I'd see him at the wedding (and was planning to leave if I did HAHA) but that baby wasn't allowed either....

 

[Elleshoodat]

OMG, I love that dress! I did Zulily for a few weeks but didn't see anything I liked, so I unsubscribed. You have me thinking twice about it now...

And I agree with your DH - the Tinker Bell outfit is even cuter than the Belle one. Adorable!

 

[DanieD0909]

Thanks for the info on the clothing swap...I'll definitely have to look into it

We are definitely going to do Kids Night Out on one of the nights...my hubby really wants to ride the new test track...it is his favorite ride and I want to be able to ride with him. Otherwise, we are just going to try to take naps in the afternoon and then head back to the park for a few hours each night...trying to keep it low key...we will see how it goes...lol!!!

 

[Imagineer5]

OMG, I love that dress! I did Zulily for a few weeks but didn't see anything I liked, so I unsubscribed. You have me thinking twice about it now...

And I agree with your DH - the Tinker Bell outfit is even cuter than the Belle one. Adorable!

Yeah it's really hit or miss. I got in a good (REALLY GOOD) day of shopping and the items I got have basically become my new wardrobe LOL. Most recently they had a "christmas extravaganza" and I can't wait to show everyone all the Christmas outfits I got!

Thanks for the info on the clothing swap...I'll definitely have to look into it

We are definitely going to do Kids Night Out on one of the nights...my hubby really wants to ride the new test track...it is his favorite ride and I want to be able to ride with him. Otherwise, we are just going to try to take naps in the afternoon and then head back to the park for a few hours each night...trying to keep it low key...we will see how it goes...lol!!!

PM me if you're interested in the one in particular I mentioned, it's a "secret" group so you won't be able to find it by searching. But again you'd be really looknig far ahead since it's mainly 18m+. Or try out Wittlebee! It's really opened my eyes to a new world of Baby Couture! HAHA

Glad to hear you are thinking of doing KNO too. I'm not thrilled about doing it our 1st full day there/my birthday but the timing works out, and I'm going to book it for the 12th if we get the 3D Dessert Party tickets, and will play that night by ear I guess (hope I love the 1st night with them! haha).

 

[Imagineer5]

OMG. So I'm working on DAY 6 BUT I had to share the latest Disney news. I'm sure you've all heard by now, but the FL opening has been set for December 6th. IDK if any of you immediately thought this lmao but yep, that is the DAY BEFORE WE GO IN DECEMBER. Which means- that our weekend fun trip is probably going to be SO PACKED. UGH! I'm waiting to hear about the ADR date for BOG restaurant, because I really, really want to get in there one evening of our December trip. The only other thing I *really* want to do is ride the little mermaid. I haven't looked into whether they'll have FP's for it or not? Hmm. If so, then it won't be SO BAD, hopefully.

Anyway back soon with Day 6, my computer at work was not functioning yesterday and I wanted access to my Disney pictures from 2010!

 

[khertz]

I don't remember where I saw it, but I think they are planning to put in FP for the new Ariel ride. Hopefully it will not be TOO packed! I know that is probably wishful thinking, but maybe you will be surprised. At least, I hope so! I know that is one part exciting, two parts stressful when planning a Disney trip.

 

[Imagineer5]

I don't remember where I saw it, but I think they are planning to put in FP for the new Ariel ride. Hopefully it will not be TOO packed! I know that is probably wishful thinking, but maybe you will be surprised. At least, I hope so! I know that is one part exciting, two parts stressful when planning a Disney trip.

LOL! I sure hopw that is the case! Good thing we are already booked, I bet resorts are filling up as I type!!

 

[Imagineer5]

Day 6 – Tuesday December 9th

Finally a DHS ROPE DROP DAY! Here we will join the masses to TSMM and ride, then pick up FP’s for later on. With Rider Swap and RnRC’s SR line, I’m not too worried about lines for much else today. Since we will have just had a simple breakfast in the condo, we have early ADR’s at 50’s Prime Time Café for lunch. It’s been a number of years since I was here last (Maybe 2007) so I’m excited to return.

Over the course of the morning, I hope to ride ToT, RnRC at least once, TSMM once, and maybe even catch a Disney Junior show (looks like it has some early times like 9:40 and 10:30). I also am SO excited to FINALLY ride the new Star Tours ride, so we’ll prob either ride it or grab a FP for it for later. Side note: I downloaded the new Disney app today, and it currently says the RnRC wait time is 140 MINUTES. HOLY MOLY.

Bucking our tradition and skipping HBD…

So let’s see…for lunch I might get

Grandma's Chicken Pot Pie - A creamy cheese mixture of chicken, mushrooms, carrots, celery, onions, and peas topped with a flaky pastry $17.99
If I’m not too hot LOL

And DH might get

A Sampling of Mom's Favorite Recipes - Crispy-fried Chicken, Fork Tender Pot Roast, and Traditional Meatloaf with all the fixings $19.99
Or
Mom's Old Fashioned Pot Roast - Slow cooked 'til fork tender, served with mashed potatoes, carrots, celery and onions $17.99

I’m giving both bc they both sound like something DH finds delicious while I find *disgusting* HAHA

A nice brownie sundae for dessert, though smores sounds amazing too.

If you haven’t noticed from my F&W offerings post, I LOVE DESSERT. It’s funny, I never used to until I was pregnant, then I craved sweets. Unfortunately, that has not disappeared and now I find myself looking at dessert menus first to see what I need to keep room for!

I also love drinks. This one sounds fantastic:

Mowie Wowie -- Malibu rum, melon liqueur, peach schnapps, orange and pineapple juices. $10.50

DH will get a Yuengling $6.00 because they aren’t available in MASS! LOL

This afternoon, I want to spend some time in One Man’s Dream as it was being refurbed during our last trip, and depending on how Aria is doing during shows, possibly see B&TB and LMA. Ride GMR and I *think* I will have to skip the AA for the first time but we will see. Maybe I’ll do it alone while she is sleeping and DH needs a break (from me HAHA). Assuming Aria is napping fine in her stroller, this will be a pretty busy day, considering we have dinner ADR’s at Cape May for 5:30, we may not take our usual afternoon relax time.

FUNNY STORY TIME…

That picture is of all the empty seats next to us at LMA. When we got to DHS this morning (back in 2010) we were given FP’s randomly to LMA. Of course, when we got to the show, we were told no FP’s were necessary and so we started heading up to the stands to find a seat. The CM at the entrance decided to “pixie dust” us and said WAIT! We will seat you in the VIP section! So we went around back, took the elevator up to the “VIP” section and sat there in this roped off area like FOOLS while everyone was looking at us and maybe trying to figure out if we were truly VIPs. We really felt silly the whole time, BUT it was nice during the show to be able to spread out…hehehe

Moving on to dinner…

This is the meal DH is MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO! He loved it. Despite the itty bitty crab legs he loved the ribs and just basically everything they offer. I think last time I ate pizza and pasta from the kids station. BUT their miniature molten lava chocolate cakes WERE SO GOOD. They had better still be there! MmM.

After dinner, I had originally thought of going to Fantasmic but I think that’ll just be too much. Plus I was able to get a F! Package at Mama Melrose in December, so maybe we’ll just save that for December! So I’m thinking we’ll be beat – if we are up for it, a carriage ride around Port Orleans might be super fun, since it’ll give us a sneak peak at where we will be staying in less than 2 months from this day, or maybe we will just head back to the condo and relax!

Another early morning on the next day, and a BEFORE PARK OPENING BREAKFAST – GUESS WHERE! Aria has a very special DRESS for this occasion! (And it’s one that you’ve seen!) It’s going to be a day of outfit changes LOL!

 

[smile4stamps]

The nice thing about the Little Mermaid ride is it is a continuous loader like the Haunter Mansion so the line moves fast!! The lines at DL were extremely long the first weekend and then after that they died down dramatically.

I'm not sure we will see Fantasmic on our trip. We have FLying Fish reservations on our full DHS day an I don't want to schedule that too late so I guess F! Is out for now. As long as we get to see illuminations this time and Wishes again I will be happy!!

 

[Imagineer5]

The nice thing about the Little Mermaid ride is it is a continuous loader like the Haunter Mansion so the line moves fast!! The lines at DL were extremely long the first weekend and then after that they died down dramatically.

I'm not sure we will see Fantasmic on our trip. We have FLying Fish reservations on our full DHS day an I don't want to schedule that too late so I guess F! Is out for now. As long as we get to see illuminations this time and Wishes again I will be happy!!

That is very true! We ARE going first weekend! HA! Whoops...

I realized to do 3D we will need to forego Artist Point that night. IDK if I really want to skip it (couldn't get an earlier ADR). Hmmm. Flying Fish is another evening, but I think I'd rather keep that ressie than switch to AP.

 

[Imagineer5]

I need some DIS advice!

We are planning to do the 3D Disney's Dessert party on Friday 10/12! It starts at 7 and since it is just desserts, and since we will be getting Kids Nite Out again that evening, I am looking into restaurants that we can dine at IN or NEAR EPCOT by 5PM.

I would love to try some place new, and Bistro de Paris came to mind. The menu looks like DH will LOVE it, and there is a goat cheese app that sounds fantastic and a chicken dish that would work for me, though they have no veg. option listed for an entree so I'm wondering if there will be specials or whatnot aside from what is listed.

Of course, no ADR's are currently available.

Of the available ones there's La Hacienda which we had a fantastic meal at last trip, San Angel, Marrakesh, Tutto Italia, Tokyo Dining (don't like sushi), Teppan Edo (ate here last trip), Chefs de France (have a lunch planned here though)...and that's about it.

Or maybe we should just to F&W booths?

Thoughts? I'd love for it to be a great ADULT option meal (like Bistro). Flying Fish might be an option to move to this evening, but it's not open until 5:30 and the dessert party starts at 7.

ETA: Apparently Bistro de Paris is down for refurb! LOL! No wonder there were no ressies available. What do you guys think about Tutto? (I haven't eaten there since 2007). Or maybe just doing F&W booths? Maybe that's the best route, though it would be nice to use the TiW card!

 

[kmedina]

Everything has been pretty busy here too, so I know what you mean. How great to get an awesome deal with Southwest! I am grasping at straws trying to get enough points for a Delta flight. Each ticket costs over $900 with more than seven months to go. One of them better be free! All of those foods sound amazing. Even if you do not do any extra events, you are going to have a great time and some awesome food. I wanted to get Connor’s first haircut at Harmony barber shop too, but he did not have any hair. He still does not. It is cool that you are doing that for Aria.

We tried to get a picture with the seven dwarfs at MVMCP last year. The line was over two hours. If you want the picture, get in line early. To us, I knew it would not be worth it. The party only lasts five hours and there was no way Crap would let us stay for all of it. We right after Holiday Wishes. Hopefully, Aria does well that evening. It may help to make sure she takes a long nap during the day time. Connor is usually up late but takes a long nap early in the evening. I am up late too, so I do not mind most nights.

I love the ETSY dress so much. Girls stuff is so cute. I am glad your husband suggested you get more. It is cool that your parents came down to help you watch Aria while the day care was closed. I know MK is going to be busy with FL opening the day before you arrive, but that is awesome. You get to see it when it is brand new. Hopefully, you get the ADR you want. It is awesome that you booked before the announcement. They are likely to raise hotel rates everywhere now. We booked Connor’s birthday after the Cars Land opening date was announced and the room rates shot up dramatically.

Your HS day looks awesome to me. It is my favorite park, so you cannot go wrong there. I would vote for Marrakesh. We really love it there, and people do not eat there often. Then again, I am really looking forward to eating from the carts again. I love the food and wine festival.

 

[Imagineer5]

Everything has been pretty busy here too, so I know what you mean. How great to get an awesome deal with Southwest! I am grasping at straws trying to get enough points for a Delta flight. Each ticket costs over $900 with more than seven months to go. One of them better be free! All of those foods sound amazing. Even if you do not do any extra events, you are going to have a great time and some awesome food. I wanted to get Connor’s first haircut at Harmony barber shop too, but he did not have any hair. He still does not. It is cool that you are doing that for Aria.

We tried to get a picture with the seven dwarfs at MVMCP last year. The line was over two hours. If you want the picture, get in line early. To us, I knew it would not be worth it. The party only lasts five hours and there was no way Crap would let us stay for all of it. We right after Holiday Wishes. Hopefully, Aria does well that evening. It may help to make sure she takes a long nap during the day time. Connor is usually up late but takes a long nap early in the evening. I am up late too, so I do not mind most nights.

I love the ETSY dress so much. Girls stuff is so cute. I am glad your husband suggested you get more. It is cool that your parents came down to help you watch Aria while the day care was closed. I know MK is going to be busy with FL opening the day before you arrive, but that is awesome. You get to see it when it is brand new. Hopefully, you get the ADR you want. It is awesome that you booked before the announcement. They are likely to raise hotel rates everywhere now. We booked Connor’s birthday after the Cars Land opening date was announced and the room rates shot up dramatically.

Your HS day looks awesome to me. It is my favorite park, so you cannot go wrong there. I would vote for Marrakesh. We really love it there, and people do not eat there often. Then again, I am really looking forward to eating from the carts again. I love the food and wine festival.

Hi! Yeah I noticed you've been busy!

I keep forgetting to get out the SW card. I'm supposed to spend $1000 in the first 3 months (I think) in order to get the 50,000 points. I keep forgetting to activiate it though. It IS really awesome though, to be able to get 2 more trips out of it for FREE FLIGHTS! Amazing. I'm sorry yours are so stinkin expensive! Ridiculous! Have you ever used matrix.itasoftware.com ?? I love it. It is super easy to look at flights from just about every carrier (sans SW of course) and change dates/airports/etc or look for a variety of dates.

Yes I am definitely lucky to have booked before the announcement, but I might be regretting it. Or maybe just regretting not having a car. I may look into finding a super cheapo car for the weekend so we don't have to rely on transportation 100% of the time...

Funny that DHS is your favorite park! I can't wait to finally ride Star Tours now that it's been updated. RnRC is my favorite ride, closely followed by Dinosaure, at WDW so I'm excited for that too! And the SR line is awesome! haha

 

[Imagineer5]

October NEWS! After an extremely aggrivation morning (I'll save all the gory details), the Sweet Seats at the 3D party were *supposedly* sold out ALREADY by 9AM when I FINALLY got through to an agent, so we are booked for the October 12th 3D party, but no reserved seating. Oh well, DH didn't want to do the sweet seats anyway. Also got on the line with KNO and Aria's babysitter is booked for that evening as well. I figured 4PM would be a fine time for them to come? Would get us to EPCOT around 4:30, time to walk around to the booths before the party. If we think of it earlier in the day, it would be so awesome to have FP's to ride Soarin' and Test Track if it is open by then, so we can ride them together instead of separately. But I haven't gotten to my day-by-day plans yet for this day so we'll see about that!

 

[Imagineer5]

Just to recap, we have:

Day 1 - Arrive at BLT, quiet evening in, hopefully get to watch Hallowishes from the TotW lounge!

Day 2 - My 30th birthday! Before park bfast at CP, MK all day, Aria gets KNO & fun in room while DH and I spend a little time at MK (maybe using FP's to ride Space, BTMRR, Splash together) and then head to a birthday dinner at California Grille and watch Wishes from there or from Poly Beach, before heading back to room

Day 3 - Hop on monorail over to Poly, eat at Kona for breakfast, then head to EPCOT. Explore EPCOT, Biergarten for lunch, then back to Contemporary in afternoon for a break/free beer tasting! Back to EPCOT for dinner at R&C, Illuminations if Aria is up for it!

Day 4 - Pack up car. Early breakfast at Chef Mickeys, then head to Animal Kingdom! Late lunch at Sanaa, then head to condo (Cypress Pointe), check in, do a little grocery shopping, laundry, and make dinner in condo. Maybe spend time at pool this evening.

Day 5 - Open relaxing morning, then head to MK in time for aria's 1st hair cut at the MK barber shop! Early afternoon at MK, before hopping on a boat to GF for early dinner at 1900 Park Fare! Then back over to MK for the evening for MNSSHP!

Day 6 - DHS day! No breakfast scheduled so will just hop on rides and enjoy the morning! Early lunch at 50's Prime Time! Aternoon at our leisure, either at DHS or back at condo, then dinner at Cape May. Possible evening carriage ride at POR to scope out resort for December stay!

Up next...we head back to EPCOT and Aria has at least 3 outfit changes

 

[CandleontheWater]

I'm sorry the seats were sold out before you were able to get on the line. I've heard that it is hard to book some of the F&W events, but that is crazy!

I think you guys will really enjoy getting to walk around the booths solo and trying all the samples. I know you were in the mood for a nice restaurant, but the Epcot and crescent lake area restaurants aren't going anywhere, and there is only one time of year you can hit up F&W.

 

[Imagineer5]

Day 7 – Wednesday October 10th!

On this bright morning we get to go eat an early before-park-opening breakfast at Akershus! We have never eaten here, either, and are excited about the princess experience. I have an Aurora princess dress for Aria that may be too big for her, so she might wear her Belle tutu dress here and the Tink outfit for MNSSHP…not sure yet! Either way she’ll be dressed up in some princess dress! I love potatoes at breakfast so am excited to try the potato casserole. I have been wanting to go to this restaurant for quite some time, because Belle is my favorite princess BY FAR and she is in her ball gown here, vs in her day clothes at the castle, which I don’t quite understand why she wears that silly outfit at CRT…

Hot items served right at the table

Plate of cold items served from the buffet

Anyway, after breakfast we will spend the morning at FW! Definitely want to ride Nemo again, visit the Seas, watch Turtle Talk, ride Living with the Land, ride Figment, and hopefully ride Test Track – I need to look into opening dates for that refurb. What I found just says “late 2012” so I guess if it’s not open by October it should be by December…

Around 11 we’ll start heading back towards WS, because we have a 12ADR at Chefs de France. I’m so excited about this! I have yet to eat at a France Pavilion restaurant! And we just loved Ratatouille!

Looking at the menu currently, I might consider the Prix Fixe menu with onion soup, mac & cheese, and dessert (maybe Croustillant feuillantine, douceur au chocolat, glace noix de coco, tartare de banane - Crispy cake with chocolate milk mousse, coconut ice cream and bananas marinated in rum and lemon juice $7.25)
The app and entrée sound really heavy with all that cheese so depending on how I’m feeling, the Crepe Florentine - large crepe filled with chicken, spinach, mushrooms and bechamel sauce $14.79 sounds really good too.
DH is sure to get the lobster bisque, and either Croque monsieur et sa salade verte - the classic French toasted ham and cheese sandwich served with a green salad $13.99
Or Plat de Cote de boeuf au cabernet avec pates - beef short ribs briased in cabernet with pasta, pearl onions and mushrooms $22.99
And if he gets the Prix Fixe, the dessert he would choose would be
Profiteroles au chocolat - Puff choux with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce $7.25

Is it cheating to give him a couple options hehe

Profiteroles:

After lunch we have a little more time to enjoy the WS before heading over to… the Poly! Our family photoshoot is this day! And no I haven’t picked out our outfits! Ugh! I need to go through the clothes Aria will fit into for the trip, and find myself a matching outfit (doesn’t have to be too fancy, even just khaki shorts and a nice top will work) – just need to be color coordinated. I’m thinking blue’s. Would like purples but of course DH wouldn’t wear that…

So that photo shoot is at 4PM, hopefully Aria will have taken her afternoon nap and be super happy during it! HA! I’m stealing some pics for some ideas for the photoshoot! If you know of any good place to see examples, please let me know bc I’m having a tough time finding Poly photo shoot pics!

I like this picture below but it tells me that I want to have Aria in a super cute outfit and DH and I MATCHING in shirts/khaki shorts…

I love the castle in the background here

After the photoshoot we are hopping back over to EPCOT for an early dinner at Coral Reef and then have a nice evening at EPCOT. It has been a LONG time since I’ve eaten at Coral Reef (I think DH and I went in 2004). Depending on how we are feeling, we may head back to condo to relax.

For Dinner I don’t know what to get! It will depend on the seasonal catch – I love mushroom risotto, and have started eating a tiny bit of fish as long as it’s not fishy…ha! So either Pan-seared Sustainable Seasonal Catch - on mushroom risotto with bay scallops and celery root nage and parsley-truffle oil Market Price or possibly Vegetable Potato Strudel - with a tomato compote and basil oil $18.99 as a safer route. I will probably skip the app and get The Chocolate Wave* - served with raspberries $7.99 for dessert. DH would enjoy Steamed Mussels - with cilantro sofrito, fennel, tomatoes, and toasted ciabatta $11.99, Lobster Ravioli - with Rock Shrimp, fresh Tarragon, and Lobster Cream $26.49 and some of my dessert!

And since my PTR has been SO LACKING in Aria pictures lately (HA!) here are some!

Did I show you guys this dress? I got it from my online swap. It’s HUGE on her, but hopefully will fit by the December trip? If not, then we’ll just have to plan a 2013 trip…

Aria is crawling now.

Annie is not so happy about this fact…

LOL we did washable fingerpainting on the kitchen island Monday when I was home…

Trying on her new TEA Collection outfit (my current favorite brand of clothing for her haha)

Up next…another pretty “easy” day!

 

[Imagineer5]

I'm sorry the seats were sold out before you were able to get on the line. I've heard that it is hard to book some of the F&W events, but that is crazy!

I think you guys will really enjoy getting to walk around the booths solo and trying all the samples. I know you were in the mood for a nice restaurant, but the Epcot and crescent lake area restaurants aren't going anywhere, and there is only one time of year you can hit up F&W.

Yeah it being sold it was super fast! Oh well, I guess on the bright side it just saved me $60! LOL

Yeah, I think the booths will be fun! We can scope out what we want over the week hehe

 

[mandas08]

It has been forever since I posted but I am still here. I love the idea of getting a photo shoot at Poly. Maybe I will look into that for our trip in December. I think I agree with your picture outfit ideas. You and DH in similar solid shirts and khakis and put Aria in a cute coordinating print dress. If on the beach I'm drawn to white and khaki and maybe a white dress on Aria.

You are making me rethink my cancellation at Coral Reef. We decided to go to Ohana for breakfast instead. I know lo would love to see all the fish but if we were to get seated really far from the tank I would be disappointed since that would be our entire reason for booking there. I suppose we will stick to yet another character meal lol.

I absolutely love the Aurora dress. I really hope she is able to fit it by the time your trip comes. I was disappointed that all of the clothes I bought for lo to wear this summer are just now starting to fit. The one advantage to this is that he will likely be able to wear all of his 12month clothes when he is 15 months and on our trip.

 

[smile4stamps]

I'm SORRY you weren't able to get the Sweet Seats!! I am very thankful I was able to get what I was looking for. The Sweet Seats are actually the second thing I booked. The first is the Grand Marnier event which I had heard was smaller and would sell out sooner but I have yet to hear if it is indeed sold out or not.

But Alas. We will be at the same event! Maybe we will run into each other!

I recommend getting something to eat a few hours before hand. You want to have room for the desserts but also want to not become sugar overloaded by way to much sweet stuff! I am planning Biergarten at 3pm. Hoping that is enough space and we aren't too full!! Maybe we will try and get in early!