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

[Fantasyland Mom]

As you know, I've been away from the DIS and am now playing catch-up; I'm happy to say I'm all caught up on your TR!

I feel ya on the stroller situation. SO. MUCH. I have an epic stroller story coming up in my TR. I'm serious, a movie could be made from it. Epic.

Brandon really wants to stay at CR next trip, at least for some of the time. You're making it very hard to tell him no!

That Cinderella Fountain is such a toddler trap! We always end up spending a lengthy amount of time drinking water and trying to avoid falling into water.

Yay for IASW! You know we're big fans!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I'd really like to stay at the Contemporary... My son who's 10 now really wants to stay there for his 12 birthday...

Scoop sounds like as awesome CM... I love his pin...

 

[fitgirl36]

Great update! I must say I'm not a contemporary decorating type girl and really don't like the style of the Comtemporary, but you really can't beat that location! We went to Chef Mickey's for an early breakfast then walked to the MK. You cannot beat that walk! We didn't go to MNSSHP last trip, but after our upcoming May trip I might be sold on staying at the CR next fall so we would have a nice short walk after the Halloween party.

Oh my word, that picture of Everett with Scoop is the FUNNIEST! Like laugh out loud funny!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Ahhh, I love your Scoop pin! That's so awesome! I've always wanted to pin trade with Scoop, and you're absolutely right, some people are downright mean when it comes to trading. During Epcot's 30th, I saw this kid shove someone out of the way in order to get the CM exclusive one. Then, this other kid yelled obsentities at Alex when he traded for it. It's kind of sad how ruthless people can be when it comes to something that's intended to be fun.

I don't know why Disney is promoting the whole egg and ham breakfast combo. I agree, the egg/bacon/croissant is good and needs no replacing!

Yikes, those 30th anniversary pins were pretty cutthroat. I was lucky that another guests offered to trade with me because they had two. It was really nice of them, and just goes to show that good traders are out there!

I know that just walking around, I haven't been the most enamored by the CR, but you definitely make the Contemporary sound like a fantastic place to stay, especially with a little one!

What a nice pin trading encounter!

It is a fantastic place to stay, I can understand why it would be hard to get into it if you were just visiting, but once you stay there, its like being immersed in the MK 24-7!

Awesomely terrible? NOPE, just awesome! Hahah, I love that Everett thought they were dinosaur prints! Too cute.

YES. YES. YES. Everything you just said about CR. YES.

Your experience with Scoop sounds awesome! That pin is so cool!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who loves puns. I am such a goofball, they are my favorite type of humor!

Scoop is so cool and that pin is awesome!

I have to agree with you that the ham on those sandwiches is AWFUL! I ordered a egg, cheese, and ham croissant at the Boardwalk bakery and I had to throw the entire piece of ham away it was so gross. And that's saying a lot because I like everything. Even things I don't like I can eat. But NOT that ham. Practically ruined the whole sandwich.

I like you description of the Contemporary. It really is a cool resort and the location really can't be beat. I hope to have another BLT stay one of these days.

OMG - the picture of Everett with the stroller top down - so freakin funny!

The ham was gross and the panini bread and fake eggs didn't help either. I don't know what the people at Disney dining were thinking, bring back my croissants!

Aaahhh....to step out of your resort room and see that view of inside the Contemporary! I don't understand either how people say that resort isn't themed. I very much share your opinion. Man, I really want to stay there! I really hope some major pixie dust blows our way and somehow, someway we're able to get into BLT for our October trip next year.

Anyway.....what a great start to your MK day! Since I don't pin trade, I don't know much about it. But, that pin does look really nice! And that's so cool that you got to meet a pin trading celebrity.

Love the photopass pictures....they're really sweet!

I hope that you guys get into BLT, I'll be crossing my fingers for you! Reid would think he had died and gone to heaven with all those monorails going by!

What a view out your room door! <3 Imcan't wait to stay at the contemporary again... Maybe 2014.

I never knew about the pin trading guru. We are still pin trading novices. I am going to have to keep my eye out for him.

IASM is a must do classic! Love it! Except last year when it broke down and we were stuck for 20 minutes in the middle of the ride. The rest of the trip the song was always stuck in my head. I even heard it in my sleep! Lol

Scoop is tough to find, I think he is only out in the mornings with the citizens of main street. I'm usually so focused on rope drop, that it is possible I've missed him multiple times. He does have some incredible pins though, so if you see him, be sure to stop by and chat!

Great update! CR is really nice to stay at (well, BLT from my experience) but i still don't love the theme. Maybe it's because I don't travel with someone who absolutely loves the monorails lol. The location can't be beat though.

I laughed at your trash can picture! haha

The pin trading sounds so magical and memorable!! Love that, and too bad to hear that he was so surprised by your politeness, I can't believe people would act so horribly over PIN TRADING. Ugh! (or over anything, for that matter).

Can't wait for more! Love your toddler tid bits!

I have to admit, Everett isn't the only monorail lover in our house, I think they are about the most awesome thing ever, so I'm sure that increases my CR love!

Yup, the oh-so-scenic trash cans. Pictures next to trash cans, yes, we're classy like that.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Great pics from around the Contemporary! It seems like in a resort like that one, staying in the tower is about the only way to go. Sorry the breakfast was a disappointment though. I'm not a big fan of change, especially when it comes to favorite foods!! It must be so cool to be within walking distance to MK. Especially with a little one, that is just one perk that will stand well above anything any other resort can offer!

This picture made me literally ! What a neat pin trading experience! That's pretty sad though that he was so shocked at you being polite. That should be the norm rather than the exception!

Sounds like a great MK morning so far!

I loved being within walking distance, but truthfully as the week wore on, we used the path less and less. Everett really wanted the monorail, and I realized that sitting in A/C was preferable to pushing the stroller in the heat.

It was a wonderful pin trading experience, and interaction with the CM is one of the big reasons I love pin trading so much! When I used to go solo all the time (back when we lived in Jacksonville and Mark was deployed), it was nice to have a way to be connected to other people on vacation. Pins are always a great conversation starter!

One of the few things I liked about the Contemporary was that walkway to the Magic Kingdom.

LOVE your photopass pictures and the pictures of Everett at the fountain.

And for the awesome pin you got from Scoop.

Thank you! I was really happy I did the photpass share, otherwise I don't think I'd have any pictures of me and Everett together. We had a lot of photopass fail pictures, so I'm glad I didn't pay full price, but it is definitely worth it with the share.

I have always wanted to stay at the Contemporary. Your descriptions are making that desire even greater! I can't help but think: If I'm going to splurge, it would be so nice to do it while DS is so little. It would make things so much easier!

Yes, yes, yes! Now that I've been to the CR with small kids, I don't think I want to stay anywhere else (you can just hear DH's wallet groaning- right ). I do love the Poly for is access to the TTC, but it was so easy having everything in one building, and I think with little ones walking to the MK beats out walking to the TTC.

Ok, it isn't like staying in MK view in the tower at the Contemporary isn't already at the top of my list, but the case you made for it just makes me want to do it that much more. I truly can't think of any better sight to see when I walk out the door of my room.

It looks like it was a nice morning... a few close calls, but no tragic meltdowns. The picture of Scoop and Everett's legs is priceless.

Any morning with no tragic meltdowns is a magical one- right?

As you know, I've been away from the DIS and am now playing catch-up; I'm happy to say I'm all caught up on your TR!

I feel ya on the stroller situation. SO. MUCH. I have an epic stroller story coming up in my TR. I'm serious, a movie could be made from it. Epic.

Brandon really wants to stay at CR next trip, at least for some of the time. You're making it very hard to tell him no!

That Cinderella Fountain is such a toddler trap! We always end up spending a lengthy amount of time drinking water and trying to avoid falling into water.

Yay for IASW! You know we're big fans!

Oh no, I hope your stroller story has a happy ending too!

I'm glad I'm not the only one with a fountain obsessed toddler. I swear DS has internal GPS that will automatically lead to to any running water source!

I'd really like to stay at the Contemporary... My son who's 10 now really wants to stay there for his 12 birthday...

Scoop sounds like as awesome CM... I love his pin...

I think that a CR trip sounds like a great 12th birthday present, or really any year birthday present!

Great update! I must say I'm not a contemporary decorating type girl and really don't like the style of the Comtemporary, but you really can't beat that location! We went to Chef Mickey's for an early breakfast then walked to the MK. You cannot beat that walk! We didn't go to MNSSHP last trip, but after our upcoming May trip I might be sold on staying at the CR next fall so we would have a nice short walk after the Halloween party.

Oh my word, that picture of Everett with Scoop is the FUNNIEST! Like laugh out loud funny!!

Well, eventually I'll get to writing about our MNSSHP night, and let me tell you, I was ready to get on my knees and thank the Disney gods that I didn't have to wait for transportation after the party and could just take that short walk back!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I'm sorry I've been MIA for the past few days, but over the past week everything has been thrown for a loop, and I've been on overdrive trying to get things squared away.

On Wed we got some good news and some bad news, and since I'm fan of getting the bad news out of the way first- DH's deployment was extended. Its another 4 months on top of the 8 months we were already doing, so it adds up to just about a year away.

I'm really not keen on this, I was hoping to be all settled in our new house in the spring, giving Everett enough time to adjust, and get him ready for preschool in the fall. I'm also really sad that DH has to miss even more of new baby's first year. Coming home to a 3 month old is one thing, but coming back to a 7 month old is a whole different story.

There is some good news though- the ship is coming back for Christmas and is staying in the states for a little over 6 weeks. Then it is going back out to finish the extra four months.

The ship is (shockingly) being nice to DH and letting him fly off the ship early, so he can be here for the birth.

He is going to have to be back in Norfolk after Christmas to continue to work, so we're going to have to pack up, move to Norfolk, and stay in an extended stay hotel for about a month so we can spend some time with him. You know, moving into a hotel with a newborn and a three year old was always on my bucket list.

I am very, very, happy and thankful that he will be home for the birth and I'm glad he'll get to spend some time with me and Everett and the new baby. However, I am apprehensive about all the extra stress and craziness.

The holidays are always stressful and crazy, add in a new baby, a homecoming, a temporary move, and sending DH back on deployment, and I may very well loose my mind.

With everything going on, I'm going to have to put this TR on hold. I'm going to try to get one more vacation update in before DH gets home, but after that it might have to wait until after the dust settles and we are once again back in CT and back into what passes for our normal life nowadays.

I can't say how much your friendship and support has meant to me over past months, and I hope that you will stick around, because I fully intend to see this TR to the end (whenever that may be!).

 

[Disneychix]

I've enjoyed reading along even though I've mostly been a lurker.

Good luck, good health and Happy Holidays/Happy Birthday!!!
Enjoy your time together as a family

 

[afwdwfan]

I have to say that I'm very glad for the good news part that he'll be able to return home for Christmas and the birth. I hope things aren't too stressful so that you can all enjoy a few weeks together.

I'm sorry that his deployment got extended though. I know that isn't what you guys had in mind when he took this deployment on. It is a shame that he'll be away, but hopefully the time will go fast. At least the new baby will be too young to even miss him, but I know it will be hard for you and Everett.

 

[KatMark]

We will be here whenever you get back to finish the TR. You spend time with your lovely family and enjoy it.

Please let us know when the baby is born.

 

[amazingact21]

Disappointed to hear that your DH's deployment got extended another 4 months, but it's wonderful that he gets to be there for the birth. I'm sure it will mean a lot to both of you to be there for such a big occassion. Plus, I imagine Everett will be estatic to get that holiday break with his dad.

Ugh, I have spent a month in TLF during a move, and it was not the funnest thing on the planet. I can't imagine how hectic your life will be doing it with a newborn! But, you'll have your family together, and in the end, that's what's important.

I hope everything goes well, and I'll rejoin you on this TR when you return!

 

[khertz]

Wow, sucks that the deployment is being extended, but thank goodness he will be home for the birth and you will be able to spend some time as a family in between. I don't blame you for needing to hold on the TR, that's a lot to take in at once!! I hope everything goes well! I'll be hear ready to hear about the rest of your trip whenever you are able to get back to your report.

 

[shan23877]

Take all the time you need Marissa, we'll still be here.

I am so sorry that you've been thrown this crazy curve ball. Having DH home for Christmas is a blessing, but WOW! You are a strong, strong woman. We'll be here if you need us.

 

[Imagineer5]

Oh wow you brought tears to my eyes just thinking about that time away from new baby for him. How sad. Amazing he gets to be there for the birth and gets a number of weeks with you, what a curveball they threw! But to be gone an extra 4 months? I can't even imagine missing all this time with Aria. I'm so sorry. I hope you have an amazing christmas with him and your new baby, and hope you will have a free moment from time to time to pop in and update us all!

Just remember that all these new experiences are fantastic on kids IMO, so Everett will be learning so much. And in the end it is an amazing thing he can be there and meet his new son.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm sorry to hear that DH's deployment was extended, but that is wonderful that he will be able to be there for the baby's arrival!!!

We will be patiently waiting for when you return!

 

[marDgreen88]

I'm so sorry that your husband will be gone longer than expected. That must be awful for both of you. How great that he gets to come home for the birth! That makes me so happy for yall.

Don't even worry about it, we'll be here whenever you have the time to finish!

 

[MeMom]

There is definitely some good and some bad rolled in with all that news. So glad he gets to be home for the birth! I grew up in a military family, so I know all about moves and changes, and they weren't always what we wanted. Somehow, you will muddle through and adjust and come out well on the other side. I wish your DIStown buddies could be close by to help you out through the months he is gone. We'll be cheering you on in thought and prayer.

 

[amandaw]

Oh goodness....where do I start? I'm so happy that your DH gets to come home for Christmas and especially the arrival of the new baby! But, I'm so sorry to hear that his deployment has been extended. That just stinks! I definitely understand why you'll have to put the TR on hold with the new baby and the move and all. It's more than understandable with all you have going on. We'll be here when you're ready to get back to it or if you just need to talk. I wish I lived closer to you...I would offer to help you with Everett...I'm sure him and Reid would play well together.

 

[MEK]

Wow - you must be so disappointed about the extension of your DH's deployment.

It sounds like life is pretty stressful for you right now. sorry you have to take a break from this wonderful TR, but we will all be here when you return.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.

 

[PirateKate]

Wow, that's so tough having the deployment extended. I hope the time goes by fast for you. Being together for Christmas will be really nice, though. I bet Everett will love the Extended Stay.

 

[merbobear]

Oh wow, I'm really sorry that your dh's deployment is extended. Really great that he will be there for the birth though, at least. I hope you are all able to make the most of your time together and the deployment passes quickly for everyone!