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

[Imagineer5]

With flight times looming, and a week after that needing to make ADR's, I worked on the December schedule!

The park hours are out, but IDK whether to believe that Fantasmic will be playing every night at 6:30? If that's true, then my plan will be as follows:

Friday December 7th - earliest non-stop flight to MCO
Check into POR (using ME for the first time!! )
Head to EPCOT for the afternoon/evening.
Dinner at Garden Grill (NEW to us!)
Illuminations

Saturday December 8th
Magic Kingdom!
Lunch at WCC (NEW to us!)
Afternoon break at POR
Dinner at Boatwrights (NEW!)
Back to MK for Wishes

Sunday December 9th
8AM Tusker House bfast
AK morning (until 12 or 1)
head to DHS
DHS afternoon
early dinner @ Mama Melrose w/ Fantasmic package (NEW!)
Fantasmic @ 6:30 (NEW!)
back to resort, carriage ride at POR (NEW!)

Monday December 10th
Back to park of choice (any park!)
open lunch based on park choice
Hoping for a flight home around 3-4PM


I really want to do the carriage ride, but have also heard about the carriage ride at Fort Wilderness showcasing the funny decoarations at the campsites. Not sure which would be better. W/o having a car, I think the fort wilderness one might be a bit annoying to get to with such limited time. Plus it'd be nice to cap off our little vacation with the carriage ride around the resort.

Oooh, just realized that Be Our Guest will hopefully be open while there. I will have to skip Boatwrights on Saturday unless lunch ends up being TS too. Do you guys think it's worth trying to get into Boatwrights another night (like coming back mid-EPCOT to check in, eat at Boatwrights). I've never done Garden Grill, so thought that would be fun, but think DH would enjoy Boatwrights with the nautical theme. And I'd really like to do a F! package since we've never done F!

Hard working with only 3 nights!! Maybe I should add a 4th....LOL gotta stop thinking that, DH would kill me.

 

[jenny105]

I was looking into staying at POR for our upcoming trip (I must have hotel hopped at least 4 times before we ended up at AKV). I never got any great feedback about Boatwrights. It's hit or miss.

I wish the F! package included more restaurants! I wasn't crazy about the options and just made a dinner res at 50s PTC instead.

 

[smile4stamps]

The only review I have read of Boatwrights said that appetizers and dessert were good but the main courses were blah... Never dined there myself so I'm no help!

 

[vikkii19]

We'll be trying Garden Grill for the first time this October, I've read better reviews of Garden Grill than Boatwright's, but that doesn't mean anything. I say go with your gut.

We did the FDP last trip at Mama Melrose and we really both really enjoyed it. Even DH, who isn't a pasta fan loved it.

If BOG is open, I would definitely go there.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Every time we've eaten at Boatwrights its been kinda "meh". Its not terrible, but not worth rearranging your schedule to eat there. Garden Grill, on the other hand, was surprisingly good! We ate there for the first time in Dec, and I was pleased with the quality of the food and thought it had wonderful character interaction. I would go back again! Its also neat to watch the Land ride as you spin, Everett liked that part and I bet it would keep Aria's attention as well.

I also think that Mama Melrose is pretty decent. We did the Fantasmic dining package with Lunch in Feb and thought it was a good deal. I know that some people say that the reserved seating isn't great, but I thought it was just fine. Sure beats waiting hours in a super long line. I wasn't overly impressed with the desserts, but my appetizer and entree were fine, a cut above Olive garden in quality.

 

[Dugette]

Good luck finding daycare! It was a scary time, until we found one that we loved and just stuck with her. Met her a couple times, talked to the other parents, and just had a fantastic feeling about her. Never had that feeling about anyone else, and so far she's been fantastic! So happy that she'll use cloth diapers (which is a HUGE savings for us!), she's great abount making bottles, working with us on any silly requests we have, etc. I'm sure you'll find someone wonderful too. How long do you plan to stay home? Can you go back part time? I am LOVING being back only 3 days/week. It's so nice having 4-day weekends EVERY WEEK!

I hope we have as much success at finding a daycare as you did. We really need to get moving on that. We have a list of home-based providers in our neighborhood, but we have to call/interview/visit them still. I sure hope we find someone great.

I'm planning to stay home for 12 weeks, then go back full-time. I'm sure it will be a hard transition and your 4-day weekends sound great, but I don't think that's an option for me. The great thing, though, is that DH has over 2 months of sick leave accumulated and has verified that he can use that time to stay home with DD. So, the plan is for him to be home with me the first couple weeks, go back to work, then stay with her full-time for the first couple months after I go back to work. So, it buys us a little extra time before daycare starts, provides a great chance for father/daughter bonding, and should help with my transition back to work.

I have so many travel plans it's ridiculous. I've already made itineraries and looked up hotels and vacation rentals and such for a bunch of them. LOL. Let's see, currently I have Holland/Belgium/Germany, France, Greece, another trip to Italy bc we loved it so much, Australia, a road trip from LA-Seattle, Galapagos & Amazon...hmmm that might be it so far. I hope to do one *BIG* trip every 2 years, and then do smaller trips once a year (like Disney or other US destinations). We'll see if that turns out to be feasible, but I can dream!

Those all sound so great. We're not quite as planned out, but France, Greece, Italy, & West Coast are all on our list too.

I guess I've been slacking on my commenting, but I've been enjoying all the "Disney practice" updates! I love the little sneak peek of what our lives will be like a few months down the road. Aria is so adorable...love the smiling pictures!

As far as your December trip, we've never been to Boatwrights, but I've never heard much about it. I would swap it with Be Our Guest in a heartbeat. Or maybe just go there for dessert one night, if you want to see it. For the carriage ride, I haven't been on the one at POR, but I would think it would be quite nice and very convenient since you're staying there. We did the Fort Wilderness sleigh ride in December 2010 and really enjoyed it. The campers go all out on their decorations, so it's pretty wild to see. I'd definitely recommend it. However, like you said, the logistics might be tricky. You could maybe do it after your MK/Wishes night (take the boat over from MK), but I don't know what time Wishes is that night and maybe it would be too late of a night.

Good luck with your ADRs and flights!

 

[Imagineer5]

I was looking into staying at POR for our upcoming trip (I must have hotel hopped at least 4 times before we ended up at AKV). I never got any great feedback about Boatwrights. It's hit or miss.

I wish the F! package included more restaurants! I wasn't crazy about the options and just made a dinner res at 50s PTC instead.

Sounds like Boatwrights is NOT something I need to stress over, but it'll be fine if we can't get into Be Our Guest restaurant. I've never been to MM. Have been to H&V and Brown Derby actually used to be a "must do" as we always enjoy it (not worth 2 TS credits if you're on the DDP IMO). But I wanted to check out MM and it has a Cioppino which DH would LOVE. LOL.

The only review I have read of Boatwrights said that appetizers and dessert were good but the main courses were blah... Never dined there myself so I'm no help!

Yeah they have some sort of banana flambe dessert which I was looking forward to, but think I can miss it! Thanks for chiming in!

We'll be trying Garden Grill for the first time this October, I've read better reviews of Garden Grill than Boatwright's, but that doesn't mean anything. I say go with your gut.

We did the FDP last trip at Mama Melrose and we really both really enjoyed it. Even DH, who isn't a pasta fan loved it.

If BOG is open, I would definitely go there.

Glad to hear you enjoyed MM!! I hope you have a great experience at Garden Grill in October! I've always heard good things about it so I'm excited to try it!

Every time we've eaten at Boatwrights its been kinda "meh". Its not terrible, but not worth rearranging your schedule to eat there. Garden Grill, on the other hand, was surprisingly good! We ate there for the first time in Dec, and I was pleased with the quality of the food and thought it had wonderful character interaction. I would go back again! Its also neat to watch the Land ride as you spin, Everett liked that part and I bet it would keep Aria's attention as well.

I also think that Mama Melrose is pretty decent. We did the Fantasmic dining package with Lunch in Feb and thought it was a good deal. I know that some people say that the reserved seating isn't great, but I thought it was just fine. Sure beats waiting hours in a super long line. I wasn't overly impressed with the desserts, but my appetizer and entree were fine, a cut above Olive garden in quality.

I've never really considered Garden Grill until I looked at my list of restuarants we haven't dined at and it was on there. Then started reading about it and it sounds like fun! The slow spinning would be fun too - and we both love Living with the Land. Glad to hear Everett liked it! It has Mickey and friends in farmer gear right?

Oh good to know you also like MM! We enjoy Olive Garden from time to time (sort of ashamed to admit that, don't know why though...).

I hope we have as much success at finding a daycare as you did. We really need to get moving on that. We have a list of home-based providers in our neighborhood, but we have to call/interview/visit them still. I sure hope we find someone great.

I'm planning to stay home for 12 weeks, then go back full-time. I'm sure it will be a hard transition and your 4-day weekends sound great, but I don't think that's an option for me. The great thing, though, is that DH has over 2 months of sick leave accumulated and has verified that he can use that time to stay home with DD. So, the plan is for him to be home with me the first couple weeks, go back to work, then stay with her full-time for the first couple months after I go back to work. So, it buys us a little extra time before daycare starts, provides a great chance for father/daughter bonding, and should help with my transition back to work.

That's so awesome about your DH being able to stay with her for a while after you go back. I was very lucky to talk my work into letting me go back 3 days a week. I would love to do this forever! But if I extend it past the 12-week FMLA, I would have to go to "part time" and have to pay more for my health care and get less leave and such. I *think* 32 hours is considered full-time though so I might be able to go back 4-days a week or something though. We'll see.

For the daycares, I started a word document and called about 35 daycares (centers & home daycares both near my home & near my office). I had a little form to fill out for every one - that included:
Hours:
Cost: PART TIME: FULL TIME:
Vacation Weeks:
Opening?:
Notes/Cloth Diapers:

I needed one that would start as early as possible (ours starts at 6:30), one that would hopefully charge less for part time (about half did, half charged a full time rate no matter how many days she went), the vacation weeks they take each year & whether you pay for those weeks. Our daycare doesn't charge you for the 1 week/year (!!!) she takes for vacation, AND she gives you 1 week/year of vacation time for you to not pay. Opening is whether they have/anticipate an opening or if there's a wait list. Cloth Diapers was huge. We estimated that we'd spend about $2k in diapers over the 2+ years Aria was in diapers. We spent about $400 on cloth diapers, and they can be used for the next baby too! So, we wanted someone willing to use them! Also asked about breastmilk and how they handle that, how many kids they can have. Once I met with the 4-5 that we interviewed in person I asked about potty training (we have a while for it, but it was interesting to hear the HUGE difference in answers), what they feed the kids, schedules for the kids (one stated right out that she does not follow any sort of schedule and lets the kids do their own thing all day - as a 2 year old was climbing along the back of a sofa in front of us...). Anyway, sorry this was probably way too much info but just wanted to help you in any way I can!

Those all sound so great. We're not quite as planned out, but France, Greece, Italy, & West Coast are all on our list too.

I guess I've been slacking on my commenting, but I've been enjoying all the "Disney practice" updates! I love the little sneak peek of what our lives will be like a few months down the road. Aria is so adorable...love the smiling pictures!

As far as your December trip, we've never been to Boatwrights, but I've never heard much about it. I would swap it with Be Our Guest in a heartbeat. Or maybe just go there for dessert one night, if you want to see it. For the carriage ride, I haven't been on the one at POR, but I would think it would be quite nice and very convenient since you're staying there. We did the Fort Wilderness sleigh ride in December 2010 and really enjoyed it. The campers go all out on their decorations, so it's pretty wild to see. I'd definitely recommend it. However, like you said, the logistics might be tricky. You could maybe do it after your MK/Wishes night (take the boat over from MK), but I don't know what time Wishes is that night and maybe it would be too late of a night.

Good luck with your ADRs and flights!

Thanks, glad you enjoyed my updates. IDK if I'm putting way too much "personal" stuff in here that's not really Disney related, but I don't really have anyone else to share it with - FB friends don't seem to care too much LOL.

Thanks for the comments on December. That's definitely a good idea about hopping over to the FW on the evening of MK. Wishes is at 10PM that night so it could work. Maybe we'll leave that open, in case we feel like it or not.

 

[Imagineer5]

A couple questions for you all:

Is it okay that I'm combining PTR's now for both October and December? Do you mind, or should I start another PTR for December (probably wouldn't do that, but could just talk about October or something...).

Do you mind the personal weekend/trip updates? The overload of pics of Aria? LOL.

Anyone know of any specific etsy/other places to get really cute Disney outfits for Aria? I've looked on etsy but haven't really had much luck going through the pages and pages, and it seems to be a lot more for older kids. If you guys have read Make a Wish PTR's - the Big Give type outfits are what I'm talking about - some of them are SO cute and I'd love to buy some.

Last but not least - ideas for Halloween Costumes for MNSSHP?!?! IDK if I'll be able to convince DH to dress up, though he does a mean Jack Sparrow impression. If I can find a pic of him from Halloween last year I'll post it. He loves Pirates. So it could be something pirate themed. BUT I think Aria would make the cutest Boo from Monsters Inc. I can't find the costume to buy, but have seen a number of people online MAKE it. IDK if I'm that talented, or if I have enough time to actually do it (AND it's also going to be really hot, so maybe not the best idea). So - ideas for costumes??? We don't have to match, but that would be kinda fun to match too. I don't really feel the need to dress up, but definitely want Aria to be something cute!

ETA pictures of DH:

Side Note: I just remembered something funny. So he got all dressed up to hand out candy (we love doing this LOL). 2 years ago he was answering the door and everytime would yell ARRRR as he was opening it. I kept on telling him he was going to scare the kids, and to stop it. Well of course he didn't listen and one time he did it and a kid nearly fell down the steps trying to run away. I felt so bad! Ok maybe this isn't funny. Hahaha. Anyway he hasn't done that since....

ETA2: check out my awesome pumpkin, depicting Annie!!

 

[smile4stamps]

I don't mind you discussing both trips here and I love all the pictures of Aria. She is adorable!

 

[kmedina]

I have done the carriage ride and the sleigh ride through Fort Wilderness. While I adored both, I would go with the sleigh ride. They only do them for about a month and a half where the carriage rides are done all year. You can do one of those on a future trip no matter when you go. I would schedule the carriage ride for as late as possible and the sleigh ride for as early as possible. It is cool starting off with some light. Pictures come out better when it is not too dark. On the carriage ride, you will not likely take many (or any) photos.

Boatwrights is the only restaurant on your list I have not tried, so I cannot help you with that. I can say that the Garden Grill was our least favorite for food of the others on your list. Xander slept through the whole meal (except for a brief moment when Chip accidentally woke him up), and we still had to pay for him since it was family style. Luckily, we were on deluxe dining that trip, so it was okay.

I think it is better to keep pre-trip reports combined. It just seems easier. When you get back from the first trip, everyone will know you've switched over to the second.

I like real life updates and love looking at pictures of cute kids.

I think Aria would make an adorable Boo. It may be difficult to get everything you need, but you are getting an early start. You should go for it. There is no way I would ever be able to make something like that, so I would try to order or find it. Jack Sparrow is a great Disney costume for a pirate lover. Hopefully, he does it. Now, you need to think of what you want to be and start shopping. It should be a lot of fun.

I laughed at the kid falling over from the ARRGGHHH. Oh man.

 

[khertz]

Your December plans look like so much fun! It's great how many new things/restaurants you are able to fit into such a short trip!!

No, I don't mind the PTR being for October & December (I'd be such a butthead if I said yes it bothered me since I turned mine into a DL PTR for awhile ).

No, I DEFINITELY don't mind the random updates and especially not the Aria pictures...keep those coming! Besides, the little life updates are what keep a PTR going sometimes when there are no trip plans in the works at the moment. At least that's what I do for mine...never thought to ask if people minded, maybe they always have and I never stopped to think of it? I'm sure no one minds seeing pictures of cute babies!! At least, that's my perspective.

I just LOVE that your DH likes to dress up for Halloween just to hand out candy, although for the poor kid who almost fell down the stairs. I guess I'm not the best person to give suggestions for a costume idea since I never did figure anything else out for us either! But I think the Boo costume is an adorable idea!! I'm not creative at all either, so I guess that would be difficult to make, but if you can make it work, it will be so cute! Hopefully you come up with something. I found tons of cute baby Halloween costumes when looking for Paxton the past two years, so if you don't need it to be Disney themed, there are so many cute things to choose from now! My friend's little girl was a ladybug for her first Halloween, and it was just precious! I've also seen people dressing their little girls as a lamb or a bumblebee. I think I remember a really cute flower costume too!

 

[vikkii19]

I love seeing pics of Aria, I'm sure no one minds. I say put both PTR's on one, it's easier than starting over.

Whatever you decide for a costume, just make sure it's light and airy, we were there in October 2009 and it was still 91 degrees at midnight. Some kids were in full body costumes, I'd never seen kids sweat soo much.

I found a costume for Lia on Etsy, I tried it on her for a little photoshoot and it will still fit in October if we decide to do the Halloween party.

 

[Elleshoodat]

A couple questions for you all:

Is it okay that I'm combining PTR's now for both October and December? Do you mind, or should I start another PTR for December (probably wouldn't do that, but could just talk about October or something...).

Do you mind the personal weekend/trip updates? The overload of pics of Aria? LOL.

Anyone know of any specific etsy/other places to get really cute Disney outfits for Aria? I've looked on etsy but haven't really had much luck going through the pages and pages, and it seems to be a lot more for older kids. If you guys have read Make a Wish PTR's - the Big Give type outfits are what I'm talking about - some of them are SO cute and I'd love to buy some.

Last but not least - ideas for Halloween Costumes for MNSSHP?!?! IDK if I'll be able to convince DH to dress up, though he does a mean Jack Sparrow impression. If I can find a pic of him from Halloween last year I'll post it. He loves Pirates. So it could be something pirate themed. BUT I think Aria would make the cutest Boo from Monsters Inc. I can't find the costume to buy, but have seen a number of people online MAKE it. IDK if I'm that talented, or if I have enough time to actually do it (AND it's also going to be really hot, so maybe not the best idea). So - ideas for costumes??? We don't have to match, but that would be kinda fun to match too. I don't really feel the need to dress up, but definitely want Aria to be something cute!

I prefer having both your PTRs in one place. It's easier to keep track of them that way; I already feel like I'm following so many, lol!

I don't mind the personal updates (people can scroll through those if they do; it's your report), and of course I love the Aria cuteness.

It was pretty easy for me to find Andrew's shirt on Etsy because there aren't as many options for boys. I can only imagine all of the adorable outfits there are for little girls!

A few years ago, my friends and their DD went to MNSSHP as Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinkerbell. I don't know if you can get DH into tights, haha, but they looked really cute ... especially their DD as Tink!

***

Your December plans are spot-on. I would choose Garden Grill over Boatwright's, both for the food and the atmosphere; Yachtsman or Captain's Grille might have more of a nautical theme than Boatwright's...

 

[dtr_angel]

Just found your PTR and read through all of it. Congratulations on your baby girl, she is gorgeous!! Our first baby is due in just 8 short weeks, and we're taking him or her to Disney for the first time in January at 5-6 months old. I cannot wait to hear about both of your trips!

 

[oboedm]

Finally back on the DiS after a month break... All caught up! I like the Dismey training with Aria! I will have to remember to do that!

Anyway, I would take the carriage ride at FW, just because it is something you can only do at certain times of the year. I think Aria will love the lights as well!

 

[Leger13]

I would go to boatwrights over Garden Grill. We really enjoy the food at Boatwrights and to us Garden Grill is just meh! I don't mind both PTR's being in one place but I'm hardly ever here anymore anyways. I'm still depressed over our February trip so it kinda stings hearing about other's wonderful trips and upcoming trips LOL. I'm just feeling sorry for myself because we're not going again until next December. SO far away! Anyways, I love DH's Jack costume!

 

[Imagineer5]

I don't mind you discussing both trips here and I love all the pictures of Aria. She is adorable!

Ok, thank you!

I have done the carriage ride and the sleigh ride through Fort Wilderness. While I adored both, I would go with the sleigh ride. They only do them for about a month and a half where the carriage rides are done all year. You can do one of those on a future trip no matter when you go. I would schedule the carriage ride for as late as possible and the sleigh ride for as early as possible. It is cool starting off with some light. Pictures come out better when it is not too dark. On the carriage ride, you will not likely take many (or any) photos.

Boatwrights is the only restaurant on your list I have not tried, so I cannot help you with that. I can say that the Garden Grill was our least favorite for food of the others on your list. Xander slept through the whole meal (except for a brief moment when Chip accidentally woke him up), and we still had to pay for him since it was family style. Luckily, we were on deluxe dining that trip, so it was okay.

I think it is better to keep pre-trip reports combined. It just seems easier. When you get back from the first trip, everyone will know you've switched over to the second.

I like real life updates and love looking at pictures of cute kids.

I think Aria would make an adorable Boo. It may be difficult to get everything you need, but you are getting an early start. You should go for it. There is no way I would ever be able to make something like that, so I would try to order or find it. Jack Sparrow is a great Disney costume for a pirate lover. Hopefully, he does it. Now, you need to think of what you want to be and start shopping. It should be a lot of fun.

I laughed at the kid falling over from the ARRGGHHH. Oh man.

LOL ok thanks for the tips. I'll definitely have to think about the sleigh rides, it might be asking a lot to fit them in at all, but I'll talk to DH. He seemed interested in the POR one and we both LOVE Christmas so he might like to go for that. It'd really work out if the Be Our Guest restaurant opens up, then we could hope over to FW before Wishes.

I mentioned the costumes to DH and his eyes lit up and he said "OOoh I can be Captain Jack Sparrow" LOL as if it was a new idea. For some reason he just LOVES that costume.

I could probably pull off the Boo costume (though, I'd much rather just order it! LOL) but I'm afraid it might be too hot for her?? It sure would be cute though...Hmm I wonder what sort of monsters inc adult costumes there are (to buy..)

Your December plans look like so much fun! It's great how many new things/restaurants you are able to fit into such a short trip!!

No, I don't mind the PTR being for October & December (I'd be such a butthead if I said yes it bothered me since I turned mine into a DL PTR for awhile ).

No, I DEFINITELY don't mind the random updates and especially not the Aria pictures...keep those coming! Besides, the little life updates are what keep a PTR going sometimes when there are no trip plans in the works at the moment. At least that's what I do for mine...never thought to ask if people minded, maybe they always have and I never stopped to think of it? I'm sure no one minds seeing pictures of cute babies!! At least, that's my perspective.

I just LOVE that your DH likes to dress up for Halloween just to hand out candy, although for the poor kid who almost fell down the stairs. I guess I'm not the best person to give suggestions for a costume idea since I never did figure anything else out for us either! But I think the Boo costume is an adorable idea!! I'm not creative at all either, so I guess that would be difficult to make, but if you can make it work, it will be so cute! Hopefully you come up with something. I found tons of cute baby Halloween costumes when looking for Paxton the past two years, so if you don't need it to be Disney themed, there are so many cute things to choose from now! My friend's little girl was a ladybug for her first Halloween, and it was just precious! I've also seen people dressing their little girls as a lamb or a bumblebee. I think I remember a really cute flower costume too!

LOL Okay I guess sometimes I think I update too much and it really has nothing to do with Disney which is why I asked. I like combined PTR's but I know someone who did two different ones and just was wondering if ppl preferred that...

Yeah I looove having all the new restaurants for the December trip, really makes it be set apart. Plus after that trip there's barely any restaurants we haven't been to! And one more resort down, too.

A flower costume is a really cute idea too! There are a ton of cute baby costumes, I just want to make sure it isn't too hot you know? Thanks for the ideas though, I need to spend some computer time searching for some ideas for her...

I love seeing pics of Aria, I'm sure no one minds. I say put both PTR's on one, it's easier than starting over.

Whatever you decide for a costume, just make sure it's light and airy, we were there in October 2009 and it was still 91 degrees at midnight. Some kids were in full body costumes, I'd never seen kids sweat soo much.

I found a costume for Lia on Etsy, I tried it on her for a little photoshoot and it will still fit in October if we decide to do the Halloween party.

Aw I love it!! That's definitely something we could do - maybe a Belle costume and that'll be done. Especially if we don't want to dress up. IDK. I keep going back and forth.

I prefer having both your PTRs in one place. It's easier to keep track of them that way; I already feel like I'm following so many, lol!

I don't mind the personal updates (people can scroll through those if they do; it's your report), and of course I love the Aria cuteness.

It was pretty easy for me to find Andrew's shirt on Etsy because there aren't as many options for boys. I can only imagine all of the adorable outfits there are for little girls!

A few years ago, my friends and their DD went to MNSSHP as Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinkerbell. I don't know if you can get DH into tights, haha, but they looked really cute ... especially their DD as Tink!

***

Your December plans are spot-on. I would choose Garden Grill over Boatwright's, both for the food and the atmosphere; Yachtsman or Captain's Grille might have more of a nautical theme than Boatwright's...

Awww I LOVE the Peter Pan, Wendy, and Tink idea! Now just to get DH out of his Jack Sparrow idea. Though Tink kinda still works with that, at least the pirate thing/Hook/etc? KWIM? Or am I grasping at straws?

We had an awful, awful time at Yachtsman's on our last trip! It'll be a while before we go back there. Captain's Grill was okay though - thanks for the suggestions! Just wanted to try something new.

Just found your PTR and read through all of it. Congratulations on your baby girl, she is gorgeous!! Our first baby is due in just 8 short weeks, and we're taking him or her to Disney for the first time in January at 5-6 months old. I cannot wait to hear about both of your trips!

Wow congrats!! So excited for you! I remember being 32/33 weeks preggo! I felt so great, I hope you do too. Being pregnant was really wonderful. Where are you staying in January?! Kudos for keeping the gender a secret! LOL. I couldn't do it.

Finally back on the DiS after a month break... All caught up! I like the Dismey training with Aria! I will have to remember to do that!

Anyway, I would take the carriage ride at FW, just because it is something you can only do at certain times of the year. I think Aria will love the lights as well!

Welcome back!! Thanks - yeah! I need to go check out your PTR now that you're back. How are you feeling? "Disney training" is so much fun! LOL.

Looks like I gotta fit in the carriage ride at the FW...

I would go to boatwrights over Garden Grill. We really enjoy the food at Boatwrights and to us Garden Grill is just meh! I don't mind both PTR's being in one place but I'm hardly ever here anymore anyways. I'm still depressed over our February trip so it kinda stings hearing about other's wonderful trips and upcoming trips LOL. I'm just feeling sorry for myself because we're not going again until next December. SO far away! Anyways, I love DH's Jack costume!

Interesting!! Though I wanted to do Boatwrights on MK night, not GG/EPCOT night.

I'm so sorry about your Feb trip - I know what you mean about not coming on the DIS. There is always a lull for me after my trips bc I'm so depressed at them being over (and those are trips that went well, not ending awfully like yours did!). Hopefully that won't happen this time with multiple trips in the works and such (and writing a TR for the first time).

 

[Mrs.viv07]

Just found your PTR. Loving it. You little girl is such a cutie. I wanted to ask how you went about booking cypress pointe. We are going with my parents and need 2 off site nights. Originally I was gonna do the nickelodeon suites but it's so damn expensive. The through aaa we found the best western, but this looks like it may be a fun place for my oldest son. I can only book through Expedia unless I'm missing something???
Also how do you go about booking the hauted hay ride? I cant find it on the wdw site. I think I'm having an off day.

 

[Leger13]

Interesting!! Though I wanted to do Boatwrights on MK night, not GG/EPCOT night.

I'm so sorry about your Feb trip - I know what you mean about not coming on the DIS. There is always a lull for me after my trips bc I'm so depressed at them being over (and those are trips that went well, not ending awfully like yours did!). Hopefully that won't happen this time with multiple trips in the works and such (and writing a TR for the first time).

oh ok well either way. As long as you eat you some Boatwrights!

yeah....I sure do hope that you have a great time and not the craptacular time we had! I'm just counting down until our next try at it. Way too far away!

 

[Imagineer5]

Well, Southwest fares opened yesterday!!

We fly in at 9:40AM on Friday 12/7 - giving us basically an entire day at EPCOT!!! We will have to leave the house around 4:15AM to get to the airport. Not too awful, only 45 minutes after we get Aria up in the morning. I am hoping that by then we'll just be able to transfer her to the car seat and she'll continue sleeping, otherwise I'll have to nurse her (which is what i do now at 5am after I wake her up). Guess we'll play that one by ear when it gets closer.

Anyway, we fly home around 1:40 on Monday 12/10. IDK how much time that really gives us to do anything though with ME. I think we have to be at the resort for ME 3 hours before? Is that right? AK has EMH that morning, so we could do that. Or maybe hop over to DTD, which opens around 9:30. Or get to MK at opening at 9, stay for an hour or so, and then head back? It was the latest nonstop flight besides one that got in after 10PM, and with a baby and going to work the next day, that was just not going to work!


Non-disney related - Aria had her 4-month appointment! Her stats are: 13lb4oz, 25.25" long. 40% weight and 85% height! She is doing a lot more laughing, which is just wonderful to hear, and she loves sitting in her high chair (Svan) though we don't plan to start solids until 6 months unless she seems to want it earlier.

Thursday we got the Expedition! No more Audi!

That's actually a picture from Sunday's litttle adventure...

We celebrated by going out to dinner - first time we'd gone out that late with Aria at a restaurant, and somehow we ended up at a super fancy place (for any locals - heard of Chapel Grill in Cranston, RI?) (picture taken from their website)

Aria did so well, though we really need to pack toys in her diaper bag because we were letting her play with the utensils and the 1 toy we keep on her car seat. But she was just content sitting in our laps and dinner was so so good.

Friday night I went to a "Fill a Bag" event where you stuff a grocery bag full of clothes for $12. There are bins and bins of different size baby and kids clothes. I ended up getting 2 bags worth of 6mo-24mo stuff. A lot of it was absolutely adorable and most still had their tags on! I got 3 swimming outfits - 2 rashguard sets - 1 set alone would have cost over $40 at the store it was from!

Saturday DH took Aria to visit with his parents (AGAIN!) while I had the morning to do stuff around the house, and then my POINTLESS sewing class. I made a wine cozy. Considering I've already made multiple outfits for Aria, it was seriously ridiculous. I did end up getting some more supplies and some fabric though, and started on another outfit at home (which I'm nearly done with - the fabric is SO CUTE - perfect for our Coral Reef meal!!). Saturday night we watched War Horse (very cute).

Sunday DH FINALLY finished his Boston Whaler boat project!! He got this stupid boat in January, and has been working on it since. Lemme see if I can find a before/after picture...

So we took it out despite it being pretty chilly.

Aria was ready to drive:

Early morning happiness:

Entering the water:

DH testing it out:

Happy baby:

After that, we did some stuff around the house, ran errands, etc.

Monday, I worked on the outfit some, played with Aria a TON, oh and DID have a bit of Disney-relatedness...made the smoked portabella mushroom soup from Artist Point. We've made it multiple times since ordering it in 2010. It is SO SO good and tastes just like the restaurant, though it is a bit time consuming.

http://allears.net/din/rec_sps.htm

(taken from a yahoo search of the soup)

That's it!! This week is going to be super busy because...my grandparents are visiting this weekend AND Aria's baptism is Sunday. I am not religious, and I'll leave it at that, except to say I am not happy about Sunday's festivities coming up. But my grandparents visiting should be fun. They are actually on a plane as I type - they are heading to Vermont to visit my parents for a few days and then coming to our house for a few days. We plan to do a big lobster dinner Saturday night (I'll eat chicken) and my parents will also be spending the night that night.

So this week means lots of cleaning and cooking to get prepared for visitors. My grandmom gave me all the antiques in our house (basically 98% of our dining room) and she travelled all over the world to obtain all the antiques she has/gave us, so we like for it all to be in perfect shape (silver shined, wood gleaming, etc) so she knows she sent it all to a good home!

That's all for this installment of our weekend adventures! More to come. I realized I did not ever get a confirmation # for my december trip, I tried adding ME and no one can find our reservation... so I have to call back tomorrow. I *should* also have my AP vouchers by the end of the week!

Also - I want to do a day at Six Flags, but it doesn't seem like they have ANY conveniences like a nursing room/baby care center? It would be fun for Disney practice (haven't been to one in over 8 years!).