It’s loopy how some issues in life can come full circle. The final time I wrote a pre-trip report for Walt Disney World, this weblog was not but even a twinkle in our eyes. Such a ‘submit’ would’ve come by way of Flickr and boards, to satiate our personal pleasure and solicit suggestions on Advance Eating Reservations and our every day itineraries for the parks.
Quick-forward over 15 years, and we’re again at it. Like these, this pre-trip report is generally a matter of getting an outlet for our pleasure and approach to depend down the times. I can’t specific the feelings we’re feeling for Megatron’s first go to to Walt Disney World. It’s essentially the most or second-most excited I’ve been for a Walt Disney World trip, proper up there with our honeymoon or November 2007 journey.
I had been anxiously-awaiting that Christmas 2007 journey for a number of months, because it’s after I deliberate on proposing to Sarah. I used to be a ball of nerves, realizing that–for higher or worse–that journey was going to vary the trajectory of my life. (Spoiler: it turned out to be for higher!) Whereas I don’t have the identical nagging worry of rejection–even when there’s a lot using on Megatron’s first Figment meet & greet–it’s a related flurry of emotions. However principally simply unbridled enthusiasm and pleasure, as we open the subsequent chapter of our household holidays to Walt Disney World!
We haven’t actually shared any household updates since Christmas, save for just a few offhand mentions in different posts, however we’ve been having a unbelievable time visiting Disneyland within the final couple of months. After an unimaginable first go to for Christmas, Megatron’s subsequent half-dozen or so days at Disneyland have been pretty uneventful. Earlier than we received inside both park, she was at all times asleep. We’ve got so much of images with characters pretending to sleep or doing the “shhh” sign. The one two instances she was awake, she’s making (for lack of higher time period) a WTF face on the characters.
Then got here the go to that was like a revelation. Not solely did Megatron meet a personality whereas conscious, however she had her thoughts blown (figuratively) by the expertise. She additionally debuted a brand new function that we’ve come to name “Dolphin Mode.” (Her greatest mode.) Throughout Dolphin Mode, her eyes get actually large and full of happiness as she flaps round her legs and arms. She makes a high-pitched chirping noise and tries to, I suppose, echolocate the character. It’s actually essentially the most lovable factor I’ve ever seen, and watching the movies we’ve of her doing this may immediately fill me with pleasure irrespective of my temper. In the event that they have been VHS tapes, I might’ve worn them out by now.
It seems like we’re solely simply beginning to scratch the floor of watching her develop and alter with Disney, and we couldn’t presumably be extra excited. We’re very a lot trying ahead to taking her “house” to Walt Disney World, and experiencing these parks for the primary time by her eyes.
And whereas it wouldn’t sting fairly as a lot as a rejected proposal, there’s so much using on that first Figment meet & greet. Some lovable echolocation motion would most likely break me, whereas a WTF face wouldn’t. (I suppose we’d like her to fulfill Figment earlier than she rides Journey into Creativeness in its present state. Up to now she solely is aware of the character and journey by the superb Figment Little Golden E book, which is learn to her not less than as soon as per day.)
Anyway, on with the pre-trip report and planning for Megatron’s first journey to Walt Disney World…
I’ll begin with the place we began, which was selecting dates. We deliberated lengthy and exhausting over when to make Megatron’s first journey to Walt Disney World, and ended up altering our journey dates a few instances. In an ideal world, we might’ve gone in January or February, throughout one of many ‘valleys’ between vacation lengthy weekends and sporting occasions. However we’ve been making an attempt to err on the facet of warning and mitigating danger by avoiding extended indoor actions in the course of the peak of respiratory sicknesses season. In order that was by no means actually a severe contender. Subsequent 12 months, although!
As an alternative, our preliminary plan was to focus on the candy spot earlier than Spring Break kicked into excessive gear. The very first week of March would’ve been superb, however that simply appeared too early as we have been nonetheless within the midst of midnight feedings and witching hour. Then got here a short window the place we felt like we have been on high of the world, Parenting Execs who may journey wherever. At this level, mid-March appeared like choice.
Proper as we started firming up plans, one thing known as “sleep regression” began. I had heard tall tales of this within the ‘Tips on how to Be Dad and mom’ books we learn, and maybe underestimated it. Whenever you’re feeling like Ishmael after slaying Moby Dick (a bizarre approach to phrase “getting just a few weeks of near-normal sleep,” however that was our white whale), you perhaps develop a little bit of overconfidence? Suffice to say, sleep regression is a factor and it very a lot spooked us. Not Parenting Execs, we as an alternative felt like we wanted to choose up Parenting for Dummies.
As the standard of the writing right here over the previous couple of months most likely demonstrates, I’m sleep disadvantaged and never utterly coherent. (Or perhaps it’s at all times been that means.) No matter I’m, double or triple that for Sarah. I truthfully have no idea how she will get by the day. The thought of getting to navigate Walt Disney World as zombies, doubtlessly speaking to individuals and who is aware of what else–all without having the house courtroom benefit and preventing a 3-hour time change–was simply so much.
Not that we’re complaining. It’s been a wild journey thus far, however an incredible one. We’ve by no means been so comfortable to be so drained. Every day, her persona begins to crystalize slightly extra. She jogs my memory of Sarah when giving me a “sympathy smile” in response to a hilarious joke I inform her. She furrows her forehead after we introduce her to a brand new not-good meals. Conversely, her face lit up after we gave her avocado for the primary time final evening. We received so excited when she rolled over for the primary time that she received excited in response. She feeds off our vitality, we feed off hers–drained or not.
All a long-winded means of claiming that we delayed Megatron’s first journey to Walt Disney World by over a month. We’re now going within the second half of April, hopefully after Spring Break season absolutely finishes. Except for sleep, these dates have been additionally extra fascinating from the angle of pricing on just about all the things (airfare, accommodations, and so on). In order that definitely made the choice simpler.
We thought-about ready till even later in shoulder season, pushing off till Might 2024 within the (unlikely) hope of previews for Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Dates we thought-about then additionally would’ve had even decrease costs–not as a lot as going from mid-March to mid-to-late April, however nonetheless higher. One other huge level in favor of Might was that after we began making reservations, sleep regression was nonetheless in high-gear, so going sooner felt like a serious leap of religion. Nothing like a slight sense of dread earlier than a visit!
The case in opposition to Might was climate. We’ve developed divergent views on this, as I think Sarah has been away from Florida for therefore lengthy that she’s begun to overlook–or mentally block out–how scorching and humid it will get. In the meantime, I’m virtually scarred from the triple-digit ‘seems like’ temperatures of final summer time and early fall.
There’s additionally the truth that we’ve turn out to be avid babywearers. That works splendidly the place we dwell and at Disneyland; it’s been chilly or not less than comfy since Megatron’s arrival. Walt Disney World looks as if it’s going to be an entire totally different babywearing ballgame. Even April is taking part in with hearth in relation to WDW climate; Might is juggling incendiary grenades.
Talking of climate, it’s one cause we’ve opted to lease a stroller quite than convey our personal or rely solely on babywearing. Whereas we do it on a regular basis at Disneyland and at house, opting solely to babywear at Walt Disney World looks as if strolling a tightrope and not using a security internet. It’s presumably going to be hotter and can also be an extended timeframe. It’s one factor to babywear for 4-5 hours as soon as per week at Disneyland, one other solely to double that period of time for a full week.
As for renting a stroller, this truthfully wasn’t even on our radar till Sarah talked to a few of her mates. A lot of them lease strollers, versus taking their very own, because of the rain and different elements. Clearly, rain covers exist. So we may simply use that. However I’ve funkified sufficient pairs of sneakers within the Florida monsoons to know that doesn’t at all times work out as deliberate. To not evaluate our stroller to certainly one of my nasty sneakers, however I’d choose to maintain our stroller good for so long as potential–particularly since we’ve different journeys on the horizon.
One other factor we (over)thought lengthy and exhausting about was flight eventualities. Particularly, 3 vs. 2 seats and whether or not to do nonstop flights. These deliberations alone may very well be a full submit–and possibly will sooner or later, since we’ve each “sort” of flight combo booked for future journeys.
After initially solely reserving 2 seats in bulkhead on nonstop routes, we spooked ourselves into shopping for a 3rd. Neither of us love this, however it’s an extended flight and we’ve loads of worry of the unknown. Plus, the post-spring break airfare was much more manageable–to the purpose that 3 seats in late April price lower than 2 in mid-March. (As of proper now, a number of rows round us are empty…it’s going to be a bit bittersweet in the event that they keep that means and we may’ve gotten that additional seat without spending a dime.)
The subsequent element was selecting accommodations. We debated loads of choices right here, with essentially the most consideration given to the Crescent Lake and monorail resorts. We briefly considered doing a severe ‘TREAT YO SELF’ trip given the entire financial savings final 12 months from cancelled journeys and me touring solo to Walt Disney World and nearly at all times reserving the most cost effective choices. (Accordingly, the 2 resorts I dominated out have been All Star Sports activities and Coronado Springs. I’ve seen sufficient A.S.S. within the final 12 months for a lifetime.)
We priced out the Backyard Cottages at Boardwalk and Membership Stage at just a few resorts…and really shortly dominated all of that out. After growing a style for the cheaper stuff over the 12 months, that was a bit a lot of a splurge. Undoubtedly wish to do each now that we’ve a child, however we’ll wait till the speed charts are much more favorable in the course of the low season.
Nonetheless, we landed on a cut up keep between a Royal Room at Port Orleans Riverside and the Backyard Wing on the Modern. Not precisely discount basement resorts! We’re a bit weary about this after the entire current reader feedback concerning the challenges of adjusting resorts with infants, however on the plus facet, it offers us an opportunity to discipline check our personal recommendation below modified life circumstances.
We’re actually trying ahead to that, and each resorts. It’s been some time since we’ve stayed at Riverside, so we’re due for a return. Sarah additionally identified it was the place we stayed after we received engaged, so it seems like a little bit of a full circle expertise. (Costs have gone up barely since then!)
Modern was our choose for numerous causes, the at first being that we needed breakfast at Chef Mickey’s to be Megatron’s first character eating expertise. These firsts are crucial to us, and a giant a part of that’s watching her develop up at Walt Disney World. So we will have reminiscences and photographs of her as a child, toddler, preschooler, and so on., all in the identical place.
Consequently, we wish to select firsts which are significant, iconic and (hopefully) enduring. Whereas Chef Mickey’s just isn’t our favourite character meal at Walt Disney World, we really do get pleasure from breakfast there (it’s dinner that was on our “by no means once more” listing…however we will probably be doing it once more, so scratch that, I suppose).
Regardless, we figured Chef Mickey’s is extra more likely to be round in 20 years than the present incarnations of Cape Might Cafe, Topolino’s Terrace Crystal Palace, or (hopefully) 1900 Park Fare. The expertise at Chef Mickey’s is simply so iconic and memorable that it’s exhausting to think about it ever altering. Then once more, I might’ve mentioned the identical factor concerning the title “FastPass” just a few years in the past, but right here we’re. So who is aware of. Possibly the brand new “wishers” meal at 1900 Park Fare will outlast ’em all.
Talking of which, 1900 Park Fare was the subsequent character meal we booked. No fascinating clarification for this one, it’s very a lot for the weblog. Whilst we’re taking Child Bricker’s first household trip, we is not going to forsake our solemn obligation as Disney bloggers. We’ve already sat Megatron down and defined to her that the digital camera at all times eats first. To organize her to take over the household enterprise, her first excessive chair is definitely a trash can. (Not likely, however that does really feel like a missed alternative.)
It’s the opposite ADRs the place we’re struggling. We at the moment have Backyard Grill booked for the day of our resort change, however we’d choose to do breakfast at Crystal Palace. The difficulty is that we waited too lengthy, later seatings weren’t obtainable, and we’re uncertain about our potential to get out the door for an ADR earlier than 10 am. We’ve additionally seen loads of Stroll-Up Waitlist availability for Crystal Palace within the final couple of months; we’re going when it’s even much less busy, so we predict winging it could be the pragmatic plan of action.
Story E book Eating at Artist Level is an alternative choice about which we’re on the fence. ADRs at this level are a no-go, and we’re undecided that we’d need them, anyway. However I feel we will most likely rating day-before and even same-day reservations for Artist Level, ought to Megatron be recreation for it.
This lack of ADRs and ‘wait and see’ strategy is purposeful. One among our objectives has been to keep away from overplanning, as we don’t wish to set expectations at an unrealistic degree. We’ve already seen (many instances) that the very best laid plans usually go awry. That’s simply true basically, however particularly so with a child. There’s additionally the truth that we’ve accomplished a grand complete of 4 sit-down meals within the Megatron period.
She’s accomplished very nicely, however all of these meals have additionally been outdoor with just about nobody round. (For no matter cause, she loves being outdoor.) How she’ll react to consuming indoors in a crowded and chaotic eating room stays to be seen. Level being, we don’t wish to make and get excited a few half-dozen ADRs, solely to have the primary meal be a nuclear meltdown that annihilates the plan.
Which ends up in one other level. We’d love to do an precise journey report for Child Bricker’s first go to to Walt Disney World, however that will not occur or might happen in condensed ‘highlights’ type. As we’ve talked about just a few instances earlier than (and possibly will once more since not everybody reads each submit and that is understandably an space of confusion), we wish to be conscientious about her privateness and considered about what we share. That’s why we’re calling her Megatron (not her actual title, sadly) or posting full-on photographs of her face.
Which means not writing something that Megatron can be mortified to learn later in life. I bear in mind being embarrassed when my mother instructed sure tales about after I was a child…and that was simply to shut mates, not immortalized on the web. We preserve studying horror tales about ‘social media youngsters’ rising up and hating their dad and mom. We clearly don’t wish to try this, or something even approaching it. We love her so, a lot and are frightened of doing something that would jeopardize our relationship together with her later in life.
It’s additionally simple to see the way it occurs. You’re taking an lovable video of your daughter in Dolphin Mode when assembly Goofy, and there’s a pull to share that with the world! However then I feel again to these horror tales–and I additionally imagine that there’s going to be a “correction” in relation to privateness, and younger individuals valuing it extra sooner or later. Everybody has to find out what’s the fitting degree of sharing their household’s lives (we aren’t judging anybody else), however the line we’ve drawn is privateness and embarrassment.
Then there’s additionally a stress if I write a visit report, however miss main chunks of the day or play unfastened with issues to remain on the fitting facet of these traces. We pleasure ourselves in not pulling punches with the nice, unhealthy and ugly of Walt Disney World–so I don’t wish to current a ‘rigorously curated’ journey that omits the unhealthy/ugly and pretends we’re excellent. We don’t wish to misrepresent our lives that means, because it’s nobody’s actuality.
Given all of that, it could be higher to take what we study from this (and different) journeys and, quite than writing about it in narrative type, to distill it into suggestions & methods and proposals of that nature. Simply type of considering aloud, and giving a little bit of context into our thought course of.
Clearly, this doesn’t cowl everything of Child Bricker’s first journey to Walt Disney World. There really remains to be so much we haven’t decided, each so we will savor spontaneity–not all the things needs to be scripted–and since we’re nonetheless not sure of some issues.
Talking of scripted, that brings us to the ultimate level of this submit, which is to flip the script and solicit reader suggestions. Normally we share our planning recommendation with you, however this time, we would like you to share your experience and expertise with us. Not essentially for first journey or park or that sort of factor. I don’t wish to faux that is up for a ‘vote’ when that basically isn’t the case. (C’mon, does anybody actually imagine that EPCOT and Journey into Creativeness aren’t going to win out for first park/attraction? Particularly with Nation Bear Jamboree at the moment closed?!?!)
In truth, I don’t know what sort of recommendation we’re hoping to obtain. What I do know is that there’s so much that we don’t even know that we don’t know about visiting Walt Disney World with youngsters. The quantity of random information gaps we’ve already found at Disneyland have been shocking, and it’s often the case you can multiply by 5 for the complexities of Walt Disney World. The recommendation to lease a stroller as a result of climate, for instance, was one thing that by no means crossed my thoughts. One other occurred when readers instructed us concerning the delay in receiving a pack ‘n’ play when doing cut up stays.
Suffice to say, we’re extremely excited (and a tad bit anxious, if we’re being sincere) about Megatron’s first journey to Walt Disney World. This seems like our first journey once more, which is a ‘magic’ that I by no means thought we’d be capable of recapture. We all know it’s not all going to go in accordance with plan, which is why we’re incorporating going off-script into the plan itself. It doesn’t matter what occurs or doesn’t, we’re overjoyed on the expertise we’re about to have…and hope to share components of it with you!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Resorts Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things it’s essential to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Any random suggestions for Child Bricker’s first journey to Walt Disney World? Ideas on decisions for character meals or anything? Anything you’re concerned about studying about with regard to Megatron, infants within the parks, and so on? Anecdotes of your individual about first visits to the Disney parks? Every other questions? Listening to your suggestions is at all times appreciated, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
