WDW vs. the terrible twos- and the verdict is... trip update 2/12

[CandleontheWater]

I did start! I was too excited so I started it the day after we returned home. It's here whenever you're ready!

Just chiming in to say we were exactly the same way. It was only for naps or nighttime, then I took it out for naps because I found out the babysitter didn't give it to him for his nap and he seemed to do fine there. We kept it through our DL trip for the same reason, for the plane and emergencies, but then we were ready to get rid of it completely. The first night was pure torture listening to him cry, but the next night we tried giving him his stuffed Donald Duck to sleep with and not a single tear that night or since! So just a suggestion whenever you are ready, try replacing it with something else to make the transition a little easier. Wish we had thought of it the first night!

I'm going to get over to your TR asap! Sorry I'm late!

Thats good to hear that your paci-removal experience wasn't too traumatic! Its going to have to happen sooner rather than later, but with the new baby going to be here in SIX WEEKS and then another move and readjusting to daddy being home, I'm not in the mood to tackle any other difficult topics. I figure I'll wait til Mark gets home, that way he can suffer right along with me, why should I have all the misery!

Great update. Sorry about the meltdown, but I would totally blame the ignorant parents. I just don't understand why there are SO many people who don't parent anymore. They just feel it is fine to let their kids run all over the place, jump on furniture, etc.

LOVE that you got an upgrade and what a lovely view. We've not stayed there since probably 1991 (not a fan of the new "decor and too busy for us as "adult travelers"), but the location can't be beat.

E looks so cute falling asleep in his stroller.

Can't wait to hear what you do on your "almost solo trip."

The parents were litterally watching the kids and not doing anything about it. I'll admit, there have been times when I haven't been paying attention and Everett has gotten himself into trouble, but I can't imagine looking right at him and letting behavior like that slide!

I can see how the new decor is not for everyone (I'm not usually a fan of super modern myself), but I just love the resort both for nostalgic and convenience purposes.

Loving your updates !! Too bad about the condition of the room, but yay for pixie dust on the view. I have found things on the floor of our room that made me think they didn't vacuum very well. We stay at BLT during Spring Break, so I really enjoy your photos around the resort.

Alone at MK ??? I can't even think what I would do !! Looking forward to seeing how you used that precious time to your advantage.

The condition certainly wasn't awful, but I think guests should expect more. It in no way ruined or impacted my trip, but it is something to think about and an area that could be improved upon.

Great update Marissa!

I totally appreciate your candor. DH and I haven't stayed Deluxe since our honeymoon 9 years ago, and now that we have a child the mods are much more in our price range. I'd have been very disappointed to find the room in less than stellar condition (and let's be honest-those resorts are expensive! they should be well kept). If we stay deluxe again it'll be for the location (or the amazing pool fingers crossed!--and never at rack rate). Otherwise I think we'd be just as happy at a mod. There's a real chance that we had less than perfect rooms at the mods-but I didn't notice. I guess if I'm not paying a premium, I expect less.

I HATE that some people refuse to parent their children! If only you'd have seen the looks I was getting while I gave Maddie a time out at DTD! It was as though I was an alien! And, P.S. the monkey see monkey do thing isn't a phase. Be prepared for many, many years of "Why can't I do that?"

Hooooooray for an upgrade!!!! That's awesome!!

Can't wait to hear about your quasi-solo MK touring!

You know, I haven't noticed a lot of wear and tear at the mods, maybe because I've been in rooms that were recently refurbished.

Oh my gosh, I was really hoping Everett would stop mimicking other kids when he got older, sometimes you scare me with the glimpses int my parenting future!

Hooray for an upgrade! Especially since the room was in less than steller condition. Being able to see the castle and monorails from your balcony at least makes up for the dirt and poor upkeep...

Ugh, gotta love meltdowns at the most inopportune times. At least the CM checking you in was understanding and helped make sure you got your request.


Oh man, now two DISers have deemed that peanut butter cupcake the best in Walt Disney World...I have got to try it out. I know it looks delicious! Especially that whipped frosting on top....

The views from the Contemporary are awesome, I was beyond thrilled that we got upgraded, but the Bay Lake views aren't too shabby either. The height of the balcony did freak me out a little, I kept two hands and a leg around Everett at all times we were out there!

That cupcake is amazing, I'm trying not to think about it too much, because I might have a meltdown because I can't get one!

Great update, can't wait for the next installment! Sorry about the meltdown but I definitely agree that the parents should have been parenting...so glad about the upgrade AND wonderful CM though, that's really fnatastic! Too funny about your flatbread - I also ordered that and LOVED it, though I do like tomatoes. It's surprising it didn't state tomatoes anywhere! Never did try that cupcake though!

We had great luck with the monorail too! Though when we stayed at BLT we mainly just walked to the MK.

Your room looks wonderful! Looks like you had about twice as much space as we did! We paid about 170/night though by renting points, so I guess you get what you pay for (and I didn't qualify for the military discount you got).

Well, I'm glad to hear you weren't in Taunton last weekend, because I could have sworn it was you, and the other woman definitely did a double take for me too, and she was rounding up a little boy in a dinosaur costume (never saw his face) and I was rounding up Aria so never had a chance to say anything. Now I'm glad I didn't hahahaha she'd have thought I was crazy asking about the DIS boards

$170 a night is a really good deal, I wouldn't pass that up either! You guys rented through David, right? I'll have to keep that in mind for the future when we don't want to use our points.

You know, I did really enjoy the flatbread after all the offending tomatoes were removed. It was not a terribly pretty sight though!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Why do meltdowns seem to come at the worst possible moments? Seriously! They never happen when you are home alone!


(Okay, that is a total lie. At least for us anyway. They happen when we are home alone, out in public, at convenient times, or inconvenient times. It just FEELS like they happen at the worst possible moments!)

YES, and then you also feel like the entire world is staring at you while your little darling is transformed into a hideous beast!

I'm glad I'm not the only one that does that. Makes DW a little nervous when I'm looking around while I'm supposed to be driving though.

Oh my gosh, I would be freaking out too!


I feel your pain. Been there, done that. It really is a shame that the other parents didn't feel like controlling their kids. I'm sure they had no idea what the other unintended consequences were, but it doesn't make it any easier.

It certainly doesn't, I am not a fan of oblivious parents

Wow, Great CM!!! A fast, efficient check in, a balloon for a little boy having a meltdown and a room upgrade!!!

Yes, I couldn't have asked for anything better, well maybe no meltdown!

Yeah, we're going through that phase right now too.

It is all about destruction around here. Poor Thomas goes through epic train crashes all day long!

That's a disappointment. I've always wanted to stay at the Contemporary and I always price it out, but I just never can pull the trigger on spending that much for a room when there are so many other good options on property that cost less. If I'd spent the money on a "once in a lifetime" stay at one of the deluxes and had a room in that condition, I wouldn't be very happy. And it would likely keep me from trying some of the other higher end deluxe resorts on property too.

We wouldn't have stayed there without the discount, because I just think the prices are crazy for what you are actually getting. There are so many nice choices at Disney, it doesn't make sense to pay the big bucks when you are not guaranteed a stellar experience.

And a new Disney dessert for the list of things to try.

I'm glad that he was so interested in the monorails... and that you had good luck with them! I remember being fascinated by them when I was little and let's be honest, I still am.

Me too!

It's good to see that Everett finally gave up the fight and is getting a nap in. Hopefully he'll be in a good mood and ready to have some fun when he wakes up.

Luckily Everett is an excellent sleeper. He certainly has his challenges, but getting him to sleep isn't one of them.

Oof, I'm sorry Everett had a meltdown! I'm no parent, but I agree... parents should NOT let their kids run wild and jump on furniture in a nice hotel (or anywhere). I mean seriously, do they let them do that on their furniture at home? I seriously doubt it.

YES!!!! Upgrade! Dang, the Contemporary/BLT is the best for upgrades! AHH I love it.

YAY THE CUPCAKE! Wow, it looks like they added chocolate shavings? AHHHHH. Do you know how badly I want this now? Oh man. The frosting was perfect. It was like directly in the middle between heavy butter cream and light whipped cream. I definitely don't like whipped cream frosting so that stuff was just perfect. Anyways, I'm so glad you liked it!

Maybe those parents do let their kids jump all over the furniture at home, maybe that is why it didn't even register to them!

That cupcake is heaven on a plate, thanks again for introducing us!

UGH - as soon as you said the kids were jumping off the ottoman I knew what was going to follow. Reid would have been the same way - wanting to go join them & taking it out on me when he couldn't. I agree that some things are overlooked on vacation. But, not the biggies - like that. I tell Reid all the time that just because we're on vacation doesn't mean he can act crazy or ugly.

But a big WOO HOO! for the upgrade to the theme park view!! Now, if only the room had been in better condition. But, I know what you mean about Disney needing to take better care of their deluxes if they want to compete with true deluxe hotels. I will touch on that in my TR when I do my "final thoughts" on Beach Club.

At least Everett was good for lunch! That is always helpful. Can't wait to see what you did at MK!

Awww....poor baby! I'm sure it's very hard & confusing for him. Hopefully, the rest of the time will go by quickly & y'all will be reunited soon!

I certainly let things slide on vacation that I wouldn't at home. I fully understand that kids are over stimulated, over excited and full of sugar, but its the dangerous and destructive things that I draw the line at !

I'm interested to hear your final thoughts on the beach club, I'll be eagerly reading along!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Oh my... The "oh dear those aren't my little darlings being a little noisy" parents or even worse the "it's none of anyone's business what I let my kids do" parents... & I'm not talking about normal occasional kid stuff that all kids do..and the sad thing is that these littler kids grow up and when they're teenagers- so not pretty

Congrats on view upgrade... That sounds magical

I do agree with you that a room should be pretty tip top to garner $500


Yum on the cupcake... That sounds worth stopping by for

 

[merbobear]

I would be annoyed too if I had a room that was that damaged, let alone dirty! But, the upgrade was really nice so I guess it balances out!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Oh my... The "oh dear those aren't my little darlings being a little noisy" parents or even worse the "it's none of anyone's business what I let my kids do" parents... & I'm not talking about normal occasional kid stuff that all kids do..and the sad thing is that these littler kids grow up and when they're teenagers- so not pretty

Congrats on view upgrade... That sounds magical

I do agree with you that a room should be pretty tip top to garner $500

Yum on the cupcake... That sounds worth stopping by for

I am by no means a perfect parent, and Everett has gotten up to his fair share of mischief while I have been otherwise occupied, but jumping on furniture, that is a little hard to miss and pretty bad.

I would be annoyed too if I had a room that was that damaged, let alone dirty! But, the upgrade was really nice so I guess it balances out!

I was really pleased with the upgrade, it was super magical. The condition of the room was really just little things, but those should be the easiest to fix.

 

[MEK]

So I got a good chuckle about you waiting 45 minutes extra for your mom to get ready. So glad that you managed to make it to the airport with time to spare.

Poor Everett. I have boys so I know its just in their nature to jump on things. Joining a couple boys jumping on the ottoman would have been irresistible to them too.

Holy upgrade! How great to get a theme park view. That's awesome. The room looks really nice despite the flaws.

Looking forward to more.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

That really is annoying what some people will let their kids do, especially since it does look like an awesome activity to other kids just minding their own business!!!

Yay for your upgrade!!! Your room looks awesome, despite the imperfections!

Your lunch at Contempo Cafe sounds really good - boo for sneaky tomatoes though!!! I agree that all ingredients really should be listed, if not for just personal preference, then for allergy concerns as well!

 

[CandleontheWater]

So I got a good chuckle about you waiting 45 minutes extra for your mom to get ready. So glad that you managed to make it to the airport with time to spare.

Poor Everett. I have boys so I know its just in their nature to jump on things. Joining a couple boys jumping on the ottoman would have been irresistible to them too.

Holy upgrade! How great to get a theme park view. That's awesome. The room looks really nice despite the flaws.

Looking forward to more.

It was tough keeping my cool, but with my mom, I've come to learn that late is just the way she operates.

DS is ALL boy, so its really tough for him under the best of circumstances to exert self-control, seeing other kids jumping around was just too much for him!

It was really nice, I can't wait for our next stay there, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the resort. I would just make sure that people had reasonable expectations.

That really is annoying what some people will let their kids do, especially since it does look like an awesome activity to other kids just minding their own business!!!

Yay for your upgrade!!! Your room looks awesome, despite the imperfections!

Your lunch at Contempo Cafe sounds really good - boo for sneaky tomatoes though!!! I agree that all ingredients really should be listed, if not for just personal preference, then for allergy concerns as well!

I was really shocked because Disney is usually so good about listing all ingredients. That was why I had to go back and check to make sure I wasn't just having a moment of pregnancy brain! It would be really bad for someone who is allergic to tomatoes!

 

[smile4stamps]

I also had to get one of those cupcakes after reading the other Marissa's tale of them! Of course I had a whole long list of snacks I wanted and only managed a couple but I am so glad this was one! I actually ate it the day after I purchased it and it was delicious!!

 

[DreamingofCastles]

Subbing in! I've spent several days reading your previous TRs and PTR! I have to say, I've learned a lot! I'm a new grandmother-to-be (in May) and I had to Google all the strollers you were talking about. My daughter hasn't picked a stroller yet, but I am going to tell her about the Uppababy ones!
Had to chuckle visualizing your mom checking the room for bedbugs. My DH works in a hotel, so anywhere we go, our room gets a THOROUGH inspection. I made sure the curtains were closed at CBR this fall before he started tearing the beds apart! We did find a dime, though.
I love it that your mom goes with you to help out on your Disney trips. I've already volunteered to go for the baby's first trip, whenever that will be!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I also had to get one of those cupcakes after reading the other Marissa's tale of them! Of course I had a whole long list of snacks I wanted and only managed a couple but I am so glad this was one! I actually ate it the day after I purchased it and it was delicious!!

I always have very ambitious lists of Disney snacks, and its probably good I don't get to all of them, or they'd be rolling me back onto the airplane at the end of the trip!

That cupcake was a good choice, you'll just have to keep your list and try some of the others next time!

Subbing in! I've spent several days reading your previous TRs and PTR! I have to say, I've learned a lot! I'm a new grandmother-to-be (in May) and I had to Google all the strollers you were talking about. My daughter hasn't picked a stroller yet, but I am going to tell her about the Uppababy ones!
Had to chuckle visualizing your mom checking the room for bedbugs. My DH works in a hotel, so anywhere we go, our room gets a THOROUGH inspection. I made sure the curtains were closed at CBR this fall before he started tearing the beds apart! We did find a dime, though.
I love it that your mom goes with you to help out on your Disney trips. I've already volunteered to go for the baby's first trip, whenever that will be!

Thanks so much for reading along, I'm glad my experiences could be helpful!

The uppababy line of strollers is a great choice. They are an amazing company and have some of the best customer service of any company I've ever dealt with.

I'm glad my mom isn't the only one who has to check for bedbugs, I can totally see why your DH would take the precautions if he works in a hotel!

I'm very lucky my mom like to join us for our trips, we always have so much fun!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Episode 3: Almost solo in the MK

Once inside the MK, I had the rare opportunity to do whatever I wanted, within reason, of course. I couldn’t ride anything because DS was sleeping (although I wouldn’t have been the first to try, do you guys remember when that family when and rode pirates and left their kid outside sleeping in a stroller?), and I didn’t want to start my vacation with a visit from DCFS.

I did have a few very specific ideas in mind, that would be best accomplished with a sleeping toddler, and since this was my golden opportunity, I headed first to the firehouse to pick up my new pack of Sorcerers cards, and get a new mission.

DH and I had played a few rounds of SotMK on our April trip and really enjoyed it. I was surprised at how much fun I had, because that type of game is usually not my thing. I was also interested in attempting to collect a complete set of cards, so I needed to pick up a new pack every time I entered the MK.

I headed over to the firehouse, which was pretty dead since it was late in the afternoon on a party day. The firehouse is the more popular of the two SotMK start locations, and usually has pretty long lines during the day. You can also get cards and start missions at a desk behind the Christmas shop (right near where Tiana meets, usually that area is way less crowded.

I walked up to the CM, and handed over my AP. I was issued a new key card (the system had a hard reset after our last trip, so any progress I made during our April trip was lost), and a new set of spell cards, which I quickly ripped into . I was also assigned a new mission that would take place on Main St.

At this point I had one more pressing stop, so I decided to put saving the MK from Hades and his minions on hold for a while. Even so, I wasn’t in much of a rush, and just meandered over to my destination, taking in the decorations and enjoying the lack of crowds.

I happened upon two CM in the hub, and I asked if I could pin trade with them. They didn’t have any pins I was interested in trading for, but I chatted with them for a few minutes, when one of them told me to stay put and ran off back stage behind the firehouse. I didn’t know what the CM had up his sleeve, but imagine my surprise when he came back wheeling a Disney rental stroller. I was a little confused until I noticed that the stroller had trader pins stuck all over the canopy!

I had seen pin boards, and pin boxes and even pin hats, but this was my first encounter with the rolling pin stroller. I got a good chuckle out of it (although what I should have done was take a picture!) made a trade and went on my way.

My destination? Uptown jewelers and their stash of D&B purses. I had seen the new retro theme park design on-line and was very interested in seeing it in person and potentially making a purchase.

Uptown Jewelers did not disappoint. They had lots in stock, and I was able to take my time pursuing the selection. I looked and I tried them on, and something strange happened, I decided against buying one. I thought I would love the new pattern, but it wasn’t wowing me in person, and I wasn’t impressed with the bags themselves, the big one was too big, but the smaller ones were too small. I felt a little like Goldilocks, unable to find one that was just right.

I decided I would take some time to think about it and made my way back under the train station to start my SotMK mission. This was my first time doing a mission on Main Street, and I was battling Cruella De Ville with help from Pongo. It was very cute, and I enjoyed getting to explore out of the way places on Main Street, like the little side alley near Uptown Jewelers.

While I was criss-crossing Main St, I ran into these guys.

I love the dapper dans and was all set to stand and listen a while, but I noticed that Everett was starting to stir. I didn’t want him to wake up quite yet, so I hurried away from the music and finished my quest.
Since DS was still snoozing, I decided to keep on playing and moved onto my next mission in Adventureland.

This time I was battling Jafar, with help from the Genie. I had nearly completed the mission when I noticed some distinct movement from inside the stroller. DS had woken up from his nap, but he was good enough to chill in the stroller while I finished up, protecting the magic crystal from the nefarious villains.

Since the last portal was right near the entrance of Pirates, I asked my little swashbuckler if he wanted to ride Pirates first! He was pretty excited about that idea, so excited that when I asked him to stop for a picture he proceeded to cry.

I am the worst mother ever, how dare I ask my little darling to pose for a picture when there are RIDES to ride (I do it all for you folks!)

Anyway, he cheered up considerable when we entered the queue, and was thrilled to be back on one of his all time favorites. We messed around in the dump shop for a while (no I did not buy him a sword).

And then we collected the stroller and moved back into the heart of Adventureland. I parked the stroller by the Swiss Family treehouse, and we moved on to our next ride, the Magic Carpets. This ride was pretty much a walk on, and I wanted to get it over with, because DS can’t walk by it without wanting to ride.

We boarded quickly, and Everett spent the whole ride making us go up and down as quickly as possible. It’s a good think I don’t get motion sick.

While we were on the ride a photopass photographer was snapping pictures of us riding, which I didn’t realize until we got off the ride. I hadn’t experienced this before, so I thought it was pretty neat, especially since Everett and I were solo. The PP was amenable to taking a few extra shots of me and DS before the next round of flyers, so I have those as well. I’ll add them in when I get them, which will hopefully be soon since the CD for our share was ordered on Monday!

One thing I still can’t figure out is that when I checked out the PP pics, only pics of me and DS riding were included on the card. I expected to have shots of everyone who was on the ride, he was just standing there snapping away. How did they manage to match me and DS up with the card? Disney magic maybe? It didn’t appear that he was handing out specific cards to specific groups.

After our flight it was time for one of my all time favorite rides, the Jungle Cruise. DS and I walked down to the entrance, and I noticed that the wait time was 30 minutes. I was a little dubious about the length, since we were entering the last hour that the park was open to day guests before MNSSHP, so asked the CM if it was REALLY 30 mins or was it 30 mins wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

The CM confirmed that it was REALLY 30 mins, mostly because it wouldn’t be open during the party, so people were trying to get on now.

I looked over at Everett, and pondered what 30 minutes in a rope switchback would look like, and said to DS, “Well, Everett, let’s give it a try, we can always get out of line if you start to act up”. I proceed to walk over to the line, when the CM calls over to me “Wait- how many of you are there?”, when I confirmed there were only two of us, he said “Come with me” and then took us through the FP line and told the loading CM to put us on the next boat.

I was really grateful that the CM took pity on the pregnant lady with a toddler and dusted us with a little extra pixie dust. I don’t think we would have made it long in line.

I was able to take some photos, they are a little blurry because I was simultaneously trying to hold on to Everett to make sure he didn’t jump overboard and shoot pictures at the same time, but here you go!

Ready to head into the Jungle!

Traveling down the Congo river

Our pygmy welcoming party

The African veldt

The backside of water!

I felt like we were double pixie dusted because the skipper we got was SO AWESOME! Seriously the best I’ve had in a long time. He even pulled out some new jokes that I hadn’t heard before.

After we successfully navigated the paradox, and were helped out of the boat by the pair of dorks (IDK, they seemed perfectly cool to me ), I took a picture of DS next to the orangutan cage, which considering how often he acts like a monkey, is pretty appropriate. I took it with my phone and it’s a little foggy thanks to the humidity. Did I mention the humidity- it was walking through soup- oh the humidity!

On a high from the wonderful cruise, I didn’t even anticipate the next pitfall we were about to encounter- the spitting tiki statues. Now I know that WDW is hot (lord knows it was hot while we were down there), and I know that lots of people enjoy water features so they can cool off, but I HATE Disney water features. They are completely irresistible to toddlers, which would be fine if you had a normal kid who didn’t mind getting wet, but I have a kid with a split personality when it comes to water. He LOVES it when he runs into it, but then realizes once he’s hit the point of no return, that he actually HATES being wet.

I made the fatal error of walking by the tiki statues while we were exiting the JC, and as soon as DS spied them, he took off in that direction. Luckily I had his backpack leash on, so he didn’t get too far, but then I had to drag him away, and weather the ensuing melt down.

He was not happy, and I needed a distraction, stat! I charged over to the tiki room, thinking that singing birds might do the trick, but the preshow hadn’t started yet, and I was now standing with other guests and one melting down toddler.

So, I resorted to a bad mom moment. I got the paci out of the diaper bag and gave it to him. Immediately there was a 360 change in his behavior, all tears ceased and suddenly he was very interested in watching the show. I’m not proud of it, but sometimes at Disney, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. It didn’t help that it had been a long day and he didn’t get a great nap.

We filed into the show and DS was pretty mesmerized by the singing birds, and loved the part where the tikis themselves started to sing. He also enjoyed the thunder and rain, which I also think is one of the neatest effects at the MK. We listen to park music all the time, so he is familiar with the Tiki Room theme, and I think that helped also.

Once we were exiting the show, I checked my phone and saw that I missed a text from my mom, she was in the park and ready to meet us for dinner. All I needed to do was find my stroller and I could head over and meet her…

Up next- Where is my stroller?

 

[khertz]

I read this earlier this afternoon but as soon as I got to the end I had to leave for work. So I'm back to comment!

That's great you got to play Sorcerers during Everett's nap! Just curious, how long did he generally nap in the stroller? Paxton maxed out at about 45 minutes this trip even though he usually takes a 2 hour nap at home. So it was like by the time we decided what we wanted to do, went to get cards, and found the first spot, he was waking up! Very nice of Everett to let you finish playing though after he woke up.

How cool that you got jumped in the line at Jungle Cruise! It's always a plus when a potential toddler meltdown in a long hot line can be avoided. Very nice of the CM who overheard you!

 

[khertz]

Oh, and about the paci thing, I totally would have done the same thing! In fact, we did just that quite a few times on our May Disneyland trip and gave it to him during the day even though he normally only took it at bedtime back then at home. Sometimes you just have to do what you need to do to keep the peace when you're away from home (and out in public!).

 

[MEK]

Everett is so stinking cute in those pictures. I love his T shirt. I actually bought the same one for my youngest nephew. Hmmm....funny .....I don't recall him bringing it toe WDW this summer.

Yeah for pixie dust and getting right on JC. I love that ride and a great captain really makes it.

Glad you got to do a Sorcerer's mission while Everett was sleeping.

 

[marDgreen88]

Nice pixie dust you were getting that afternoon! I would have laughed at the 'pin stroller' too.

NEW Jungle Cruise jokes? Ahhh. This makes me miss that ride so much!

Missing stroller?

 

[amandaw]

So glad you got to play at least a little bit of SotMK!

That's so neat that the Photopass photographer was able to get pics of y'all on the Magic Carpets.

That's great pixie dust at the Jungle Cruise! So glad the CM did that for you.

UGH - water features. I had a moment on our trip when I thought Reid was going to throw a fit to play in the Casey Jr. area. Thankfully, he realized I wasn't in the mood for a tantrum and he decided just to give up on it.

I'm worried about your stroller! Hope it wasn't really lost!

 

[MeMom]

I always enjoy seeing/hearing the Dapper Dans. The singing is good to start with, but when they make music with those bells - that is amazing to me!

Cool that your Jungle Cruise skipper had new jokes. I read that they had been ordered to stick to the spiel in the past couple of years, and since 'the spiel' is pretty much all we have heard for quite some time, I figured it was true. Maybe they are letting them be a little more creative again?

Your stroller? I will be interested to see if you just forgot where you last left it or if it was a case of the all too familiar 'castmember moved it a hundred miles away while straightening strollers'.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Wow, you were able to get a lot done that day!!! I agree about the new Dooneys, the new fabric that they're using is really weird in my opinion. I did think the retro pattern was cute online though too!

That was great of the CM's to get you right on JC!!! I wonder if we had the same skipper - ours had a couple of different jokes too!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I read this earlier this afternoon but as soon as I got to the end I had to leave for work. So I'm back to comment!

That's great you got to play Sorcerers during Everett's nap! Just curious, how long did he generally nap in the stroller? Paxton maxed out at about 45 minutes this trip even though he usually takes a 2 hour nap at home. So it was like by the time we decided what we wanted to do, went to get cards, and found the first spot, he was waking up! Very nice of Everett to let you finish playing though after he woke up.

How cool that you got jumped in the line at Jungle Cruise! It's always a plus when a potential toddler meltdown in a long hot line can be avoided. Very nice of the CM who overheard you!

Everett is a great little stroller napper. He'll usually nap for at least 2 hours in the stroller (but will nap 2 1/2 to 3 in a bed). This was a shorter nap, maybe like an hour 1/2, but he didn't fall asleep until much later than usual.

Oh, and about the paci thing, I totally would have done the same thing! In fact, we did just that quite a few times on our May Disneyland trip and gave it to him during the day even though he normally only took it at bedtime back then at home. Sometimes you just have to do what you need to do to keep the peace when you're away from home (and out in public!).

I figure that Disney is really a departure from everyday life, so it would be OK to bend the rules a little.

Everett is so stinking cute in those pictures. I love his T shirt. I actually bought the same one for my youngest nephew. Hmmm....funny .....I don't recall him bringing it toe WDW this summer.

Yeah for pixie dust and getting right on JC. I love that ride and a great captain really makes it.

Glad you got to do a Sorcerer's mission while Everett was sleeping.

Thank you, I think he is pretty cute too (although he is cuter when he is not crying )

I really enjoyed the sorcerers missions, and if I was still local, I'd probably be one of the crazies.

Nice pixie dust you were getting that afternoon! I would have laughed at the 'pin stroller' too.

NEW Jungle Cruise jokes? Ahhh. This makes me miss that ride so much!

Missing stroller?

I wish I could remember some of the new jokes, but they were very clever, and were totally cracking me up.

So glad you got to play at least a little bit of SotMK!

That's so neat that the Photopass photographer was able to get pics of y'all on the Magic Carpets.

That's great pixie dust at the Jungle Cruise! So glad the CM did that for you.

UGH - water features. I had a moment on our trip when I thought Reid was going to throw a fit to play in the Casey Jr. area. Thankfully, he realized I wasn't in the mood for a tantrum and he decided just to give up on it.

I'm worried about your stroller! Hope it wasn't really lost!

I'm glad Reid didn't give you a hard time, I wish I could say the same.

I have seen photopass photographers around the carpets before, but I hadn't seen them taking "action" shots. It would be cool if more of them did it.

I always enjoy seeing/hearing the Dapper Dans. The singing is good to start with, but when they make music with those bells - that is amazing to me!

Cool that your Jungle Cruise skipper had new jokes. I read that they had been ordered to stick to the spiel in the past couple of years, and since 'the spiel' is pretty much all we have heard for quite some time, I figured it was true. Maybe they are letting them be a little more creative again?

Your stroller? I will be interested to see if you just forgot where you last left it or if it was a case of the all too familiar 'castmember moved it a hundred miles away while straightening strollers'.

I know, those handbells just really blow me away. I also really love barbershop quartets, those harmonies are just so impressive.

I have hear that they "loosen the reigns" a little as the day draws to a close and let the skippers have a little more creative license. I'm not sure if that is true or not, but we did ride it in the last hour.

Wow, you were able to get a lot done that day!!! I agree about the new Dooneys, the new fabric that they're using is really weird in my opinion. I did think the retro pattern was cute online though too!

That was great of the CM's to get you right on JC!!! I wonder if we had the same skipper - ours had a couple of different jokes too!

I like the old fabric better, that was less shinny. I thought I would really love the new pattern, but it just didn't speak to me in person, plus I really was looking for a medium sized purse. I have big ones and small ones, but I was looking for something I could carry a few items, but not necessarily my whole house!

Maybe they are trying out some new jokes! That would be fun!