Nuclear Family Trip-Let's Hope I Don't Explode!! - Page 7 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Our local carnival was this past weekend and the only ride he wanted to do was the 'scrambler,' that thing that spins it's arms and the whole thing too. My neck is killing me from holding it against the g-force for so many turns. He says he likes the wind in in his eyes. He's also having trouble understanding the difference between being tall enough and old enough, asking how tall he has to be, hearing 44 inches for Space Mountian and then saying that he's already 4.
Ha! Mine rode "Alien Encounter" which spins so fast you stick to the wall while the floor drops from underneath you.
Glad Jake was ok! And Adam & you had a great time at DHS!
Sound like a great trip overall!
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Sounds like a great trip, even when single parenting. My DH and I have half a day each alone with our DS when at WDW, bodning time for us and prescious alone time for the other!
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Ha! Mine rode "Alien Encounter" which spins so fast you stick to the wall while the floor drops from underneath you.
Glad Jake was ok! And Adam & you had a great time at DHS!
Sound like a great trip overall!
He's not quite tall enough to do that ride, but he's been facinated for two years. We're about one inch from the "UFO" (as Parkland Amusements calls it) and I'm worried!!
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This post is just the random stuff that I wanted to be sure to add but either forgot in hte original post, can't remember exactly when it happened, or it's not related to anything!
First, the lego thing. I've got a lot to say about Lego. Adam is not quite ready for the Lego City (not that it's stopped us from buying them) but I'm in love with Lego Junior sets. The pieces are small, like a normal lego brick, but the starting points or premade pieces are a bit more four year old friendly. For example, the car body doesn't come apart, it's a car straight from the box. YOU add the wheels, but the shape is already there. With older kid sets you have to build the car from scratch. Adam can do that, but he plays more withe junior car pieces than with the wheel sets you have to build on.
As for Lego bricks on the balcony? Probably a bad idea. In general Adam is tidy and doesn't throw his toys or break rules (please don't think he's a pleasure 24/7; while he'd never run away from me or try to cross a road or throw a toy off a balcony or put things in teh toilet, he can throw a tantrum with the best of them. And lungs? Holy cats, someone is going to think I'm beating him) those bricks are tiny. He was playign on the balcony, on the table, but a few had fallen to the floor. When he came back from who know what, getting a drink, going potty, who knows, he kicked some and they went right under the railing. Unfortunately, they were two necessary pieces for building the crain in the Lego Junior construction set. Also, I didn't want to leave plastic bits in the animal enclosure, not that I think they'd eat them, but what the heck do I know about feeding wild animals.
So I called the front desk, with Adam wailing in the background, and told them what happened, expressing my concern for the animals but also trying to make it clear I'd really like those pieces back too. I mean, I get it if they don't make a way for that to happen, but the utter dispair of a little boy who couldn't build a crane was probably convincing. Within 15 minutes a keeper was there, picked up our parts and said they'd be at the front desk soon. And sure enough, we got a call 10 minutes later and Adam had his bricks. I'm pretty sure we lost a Hot Wheels car the same way, although I didn't realize it until we were packing and I couldn't find the new monorail race car anywhere. And I didn't see it on the ground. The keepers do go get things, I noticed a pink flip flop on the ground too, so I assume they regularly look for that sort of thing.
My solution, because he loves to play on the balcony, is bath towels. Make a very long tube out of two or three towels and wedge them under the railing. The space is small, maybe 1.5 inches, so this should solve the rolling/kicking problem.
Second, a random suggestion from a bar tender. I ordered Adam a frozen lava smoothy drink at the bar one day and the bartender offered to put it in two cups. Great idea!! I ended up taking one to the room and putting it in the freezer for the next day. This way we ended up buying only 2 or 3 of those, and saving half for the next day. Also, they make the smoothies themselves, they aren't mixes. The Orange smoothy at hte pool bar was just a bunch of orange wedges and vanilla yogurt and ice. So, not the worst thing you could get your kid.
Third, if you have rewards, get them before you go. We have two Disney Visa Premium accounts, one for personal, one for business. Given the amount of driving Jake does for work this is a very valuable rewards card. Both of our rewards cards (the one yo load your dollars onto) were expired and I didn't realize it. I ordered one from teh personal account and paid the overnight shipping, but we decided to wait to get the business card while in Disney. I don't like to load points if I'm not planning to spend them, so usually I have a card with little to nothing on it. Then I use my band linked to my Visa to pay for everything but I settle the account the day before we check out, using the rewards up and paying the balance with the Visa. I'd put off getting the business one until the last day (you have to go to guest services at a park) when Jake was sick. Which means I didn't get it, because he had the card with him. And given our check out time in teh AM, we weren't going to get it. So I used up the personal accoount rewards but never used any business account rewards. We had enough to cover the whole bill too. So, the lesson is, get everything you can while still at home, because sh-- will happen and you'll be f'ed. Really, its fine. We're obviously going back and I'll use the rewards to buy Party for the Senses tickets now (I hope I can do that!!!) Or Annual Passes in two years. Or Victoria and Alberts....or another pooh bear.
Third, the bags. We carried a useless bag everyday. There wasn't much in it, but we never needed it. Sunscreen, one water bottle to share and refill. A few snacks for Adam. Phones. That's it. We could leave all that behind since we don't commando tour anyway. And if Adam is hungry I guess I'd rather buy him something than deal with the bag check lines at the entrance. We'll try no bag next year and see how it goes. I did sometimes use a great small purse I picked up at TJ Maxx (this guy but in light navy blue: http://www.boscovs.com/shop/prod/nin...oat/338676.htm...ooh, I found it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/9-Nine-West-...-/261810269249) and it was perfect. It has two sides that fully open with zippers, wallet slots for cards, enough room for Iphone 6, sunscreen stick, lipstick, folded important papers (two or three) and the like. It's structured but small, and the faded navy color I have works with black, grey, white, denim, pretty much all clothes! Loved this thing. And it was only $16. Also, when we went through the no bag line one night with it as our only bag, it fit in the back of Jake's shorts, under his shirt. So, no bag line for us!
Fourth, magic from other vacationers. One mornign a little girl gave Adam three Mickey stickers. Where she got her stack from is beyond me, but Adam was thrilled and we decided to share the other two. But then we kept getting more stickers, from other guests and CMs and we kept sharing them. It was a really simple and nice thing that made all the kids involved smile. So easy to do.
Fifth, bring a small pool toy for your only child. He made more fast friends because he had multiple diving squids to share it also meant fast friends for the grown ups too. Another easy thing to do that makes everything more fun.
Sixth, kitchen thoughts. I'll definately bring the charcuterie stuff with us again but I'm bringing my own small cutting board and sharp knife. We obviously check this stuff (word to the wise: wrap containers that might have oil in them in paper towel and then put them in a zip loc. Oil is magic and can get anywhere, even out of factory sealed containers, but this trick helps. A little) so that's not a problem. I've considered Owners Locker, but I'm not sure I have enough need to fill the whole thing. We travel to other places too, so I have to have shampoo etc for those trips. Owners locker would only make one trip easier, not any other trips. So I'm not sure it's worth the fee. We made breakfast twice (bacon, eggs, toast) and that works for us, sandwiches for lunch, even thouhg we are usually certain we won't have them we alwasy do have them. And don't think 36 snack bags of pirate booty is too much. There is about one kernal of booty in each bag. 65 calories. I'd open 3 or 4 and put them in a bowl in the living room for snacking and after 5.5 days we'd eaten 24 bags. I also had a few pieces of my own gladware/tupperware from the cheese/olives/meat we carried and that proved handy. There are three sandwich sized containers in the DVC kitchen, but it was helpful to a few more. And Splenda. I've got to bring my own splenda. I took from teh Mara, but should have swiped more, so next time I'll just grab a ton from my own kitchen. Oh, and if your kids are sleeping in the living room, but the coffee maker by the sink in teh bathroom. Or even better, remember to fill it up in the PM so you can just start it in the AM. I found it better in the bathroom of hte one bedroom that way there were no distrubances and I could go sit on our balcony without making a peep.
More nonsense----Clothes pins. I don't own any, but will get some for drapes and swim suit drying. (who the heck uses clothes pins? That, my friends, are what basement dryers and shower curtain rods are for...clothes pins...people really take their clean, wet stuff in to the yard? That's nuts!!). And use the washing machine as your dirty clothes bin. This is totally the blessing of a one bedroom, but I did three loads while there and it was easy peasy. Adam has some jobs at home, one of them is putting his clothes in with the other dirties, so when I showed him he knew what to do. Jake, well, we're working on his aim. Back to coffee. The pots just don't work that well, I don't think. If I did do owners locker, I'd buy a good coffee maker. Mostly I don't care, but really, ours was missing it's rubber feet and the coffee didnt' taste that great.
Our return. We've tenatively booked FWF for just the two of us in October. Mom is doing well enough that we are hopeful we'll be able to go again. And in a few days I'll book our trip for next year. I brieflly considered February for the lower points useage on a two bedroom, but will probably stick to the last week of April (our AP expires 5/3). And then we'll take a year off of Disney (she claims) to take Adam to Italy. We've went in 2010, before I knew I was pregnant (read the big 4-0 trip report for the whole sordid surprise-baby-out-of-wedlock tale) and we badly want to return. Our thought has been spring of 2017. Adam will be 6 and he's shown an interest in travelling that far, and also in gelato, so there's that. If all stays as it has been, we'll do Disney two years in a row, with a FWF in there too, then take a year to go elsewhere (Europe, National Parks, Cruise, whatever) and repeat. But the best laid plans....
Great final thoughts! I love the idea of bringing the cheese/meat stuff. I usually order from Garden Grocer, but they are pretty basic. And I really enjoy my cheese with my wine on the balcony as well.
The Clothes pins - yep - have been using them down there for quite a while now. I actually picked up a bag of plastic ones at the Dollar Tree and we use them for everything there - chip clips for bags, swim suits, etc. and we also use it to hang hats.....from those lovely Chains on the lights! Keeps them out of the way and covers those so beautiful chains.
Glad that Adam was able to get his lego pieces back! he does sound like a great kid!
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Great final thoughts! I love the idea of bringing the cheese/meat stuff. I usually order from Garden Grocer, but they are pretty basic. And I really enjoy my cheese with my wine on the balcony as well.
The Clothes pins - yep - have been using them down there for quite a while now. I actually picked up a bag of plastic ones at the Dollar Tree and we use them for everything there - chip clips for bags, swim suits, etc. and we also use it to hang hats.....from those lovely Chains on the lights! Keeps them out of the way and covers those so beautiful chains.
Glad that Adam was able to get his lego pieces back! he does sound like a great kid!
We are blessed with the flagship Wegmans, meaning a cheese and cured meats section that rivals the entire continent of Europe. And an olive bar. With the most ridiculous bruschetta toppings (that's the oil challenge-I bought presealed versions to help with leakage and still had oily containers). It totally worked!! A small lunch cooler and freezer pack and done! I also bought the presliced baguette and put it in tupperware in the cooler so it wouldn't get smooshed. That checked bag also had sunscreen, dark chocolate cheerios, a some generic italian seasoning for the tomatoes we Garden Grocered and our medicine kit. Not much.
Also, that great kid? Called me a "stupid mommy" last night. So you can image my head blowing off. Except I've got a no yelling policy right now, because I was teaching him some bad habits about how to behave when frustrated. I think my eyes do a lot of yelling though. Epic time out ensued. Epic. The tragedy? I was the one who misunderstood...I really was stupid mommy right then!!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
I've spent a little while catching up. I was thinking what a wonderful trip, and then got scared when you mentioned Jake and Celebration Hospital. Thank goodness that worked out well. Love your final thoughts! for taking us along. I think my favorite part was Adam wanting you to drive like the stunt drivers.
Great final thoughts! All really good tips.
It's really hard to find wood clothesline, had to for a school project, but I think Lisa's plastic version would work great.
Your upcoming travel plans sound great. Glad to hear your mom is doing well.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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Disney Magic - Oct 2015
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for taking us along. I think my favorite part was Adam wanting you to drive like the stunt drivers. 
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