We’re already beginning to plan forward for Megatron by constructing her bucket record for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and past. Making some conservative assumptions about high quality of life sooner or later, she ought to have roughly 347 years to perform all of this (half together with her thoughts uploaded to a robotic, naturally).
On condition that, we’re going to slim the scope just a bit bit and deal with this extra like a mixed bucket record + 2024 New 12 months’s Resolutions + Disney rite-of-passage guidelines. In different phrases, these are our objectives for Child Bricker in 2024 and possibly past, somewhat than a conventional bucket record. That wouldn’t actually make sense for an toddler, given the origin of the time period.
Within the spirit of our previous bucket lists for Disney, we’re going to incorporate objectives starting from simply accomplishable to comparatively unattainable. A part of that’s as a result of we’ve realized to purpose excessive and attempt to make our goals a actuality. It’s fairly wild to look again at our first Disney Bucket Listing from 2012. At the moment, we had solely ever visited Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Internationational journey felt out of attain; the form of factor reserved for less than fancy businesspeople and the McCallister household. So our “Very Formidable” and “Comparatively Unattainable” classes contained doing Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and opening day at Shanghai Disneyland.
One yr later, we had knocked out all the operational worldwide parks. Just a few years after that, we had been readily available for Shanghai Disneyland’s opening day. Sarah could be very assiduous and I’m tremendous cussed (two phrases that basically imply the identical factor, however with completely different connotations). Over time, we’ve discovered that if we set objectives for ourselves which might be inside our management, we usually do what’s essential to perform them.
It’s with that very same dogged dedication that we’re making this record, which might find yourself getting us into “bother” as a result of Megatron could produce other objectives in thoughts…or one thing like that. (Extra precisely, we could not have life like expectations for touring with an toddler.) We might discover that the sensible realities of a child could butt up towards our cabin fever and need to get again out on the street after a really mild journey yr.
Earlier than we get going, it ought to go with out saying–however we’ll say it anyway–that we have now been extremely lucky in our experiences on the Disney Parks. We’re effectively conscious of the truth that for many People, a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise–itself a bucket record merchandise. There’s really no want to pile extra on high of that, because the journey alone is actually magical–and one thing the overwhelming majority of individuals won’t ever expertise, interval.
We don’t need to diminish that, and do need to acknowledge that we’re extremely grateful for the experiences we’ve had. We’ve been in a position to see and achieve this a lot within the final decade, and now get to go to and revisit locations anew with our child. No person’s life is ideal, however we really really feel just like the luckiest and most blessed individuals–and would really feel that approach even when we had been locked at dwelling all yr with Megatron!
Hopefully our goals listed on this submit don’t come throughout as entitled Disney followers unappreciative of what we have already got. We’re effectively conscious that we’re very lucky for all we’ve been in a position to do; it’s a privilege that we don’t take frivolously. We hope this submit is taken within the ‘for enjoyable‘ method that’s meant.
Anyway, on with our Child Bricker Disney Bucket Listing slash Toddler Journey Targets slash New 12 months’s Resolutions for 2024 and Past…
Child’s First Experience – We actually needed Megatron’s first journey to be “it’s a small world” vacation as she’s completely enamored with the lights on the outside, and watching these has change into our #1 factor to do at Disney lately. (I’m not complaining!) A part of that’s as a result of we’re attempting to err on the aspect of warning by avoiding extended indoor actions for Megatron’s first ~6 months and through the peak of respiratory diseases season, which implies no rides or eating places.
After seeing her react to these lights on the outside of “it’s a small world” vacation, we’ve been attempting to think about a solution to do the attraction whereas mitigating threat. We may very well be the primary individuals of the day and have a ship to ourselves by displaying up at rope drop or go on the very finish of the evening. So far, neither of these issues have occurred–and realistically, most likely received’t.
As such, we’re nonetheless uncertain of what her first journey will likely be. The common model of “it’s a small world” is the main candidate, and appears like symbolic selection for a kid. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh can be up there. No matter what her first journey is, there’s just one choose for first present (and first UNESCO World Heritage Website): Nation Bear Jamboree.
Child’s First Resort Keep – We’re lodge individuals, so this can be a huge one for us. Along with that, sleeping outdoors the familiarity of our bed room for the primary time appears like each a significant milestone and a terrifying prospect–like tightrope strolling with no harness. (Okay, slight hyperbole!)
As a result of her first keep wouldn’t be thrilling sufficient by itself, we’ve additionally opted so as to add to the intrigue by reserving the smallest lodge room potential. Actually. We’re doing the Duo Studio on the Villas at Disneyland Resort. (For these unfamiliar with it, that is akin to the tiny Tower Studio at Disney’s Riviera Resort.)
Child’s First Flight – That is one other milestone that I’m very able to cross off the record. A part of it is because I’ve solely flown alone for the final 13 months, and I’m getting actually sick of it. (I don’t know the way enterprise vacationers do it.)
The opposite half is as a result of I actually need to see how she handles flying. As mentioned beneath, I’m actually nervous about this and have been obsessing over it. I’m not so frightened concerning the first home flight–we’ll fly Southwest, so the stakes are low. I simply need it to be finished with so I can see the way it goes and have extra readability.
Child’s First Haircut – My grandpa was a barber, so once we first daydreamed about having children, a part of their firsts concerned him slicing their hair–a household custom. Sadly, he handed a couple of years in the past so that may’t occur for Megatron.
Whereas that actual custom can’t reside on, the primary haircut itself nonetheless has immense significance. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge a milestone for her, pay tribute to him, and keep on the custom in a special method.
Child’s First Character Meal – Once I requested for Sarah’s enter on this record, actually half of her strategies had been character eating experiences. Selecting the “proper” one for Megatron’s first character meal is essential to Sarah, however she hasn’t but settled on what that will likely be. Listed below are the contenders, all picked by Sarah:
- Topolino’s Terrace Breakfast
- Crystal Palace
- Cape Might Cafe
- Goofy’s Kitchen
Topolino’s Terrace is Sarah’s favourite character meal and options Mickey & Minnie in iconic appears. Megatron is already a part of Pooh’s Posse, so Crystal Palace is one other logical selection. We’ve loads of sentimentality in the direction of Cape Might Cafe and it’s one other nice costume spot, in order that’s within the working. Goofy’s Kitchen is one other iconic (and handy) one.
Child’s First Early Entry – “I must do it to show the haters unsuitable!” is a typical expression in our family when a fantastic objective involves thoughts. It’s mentioned by me to Sarah, who responds with some variation of, “I didn’t say you couldn’t try this, I mentioned it wasn’t a wise concept.” (Maybe it’s a kind of it’s a must to be there sort of issues.) She is nearly at all times proper, in fact. I do the factor, and it seems to have been a dumb concept.
One current instance of this was my glorious concept to have Megatron’s first Magic Kingdom Early Entry be at 7:30 am, with me and her getting down to accomplish each Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice and Peter Pan’s Flight. There are a couple of explanation why that is most likely is not-so-smart, however there’s one why it’s downright inconceivable except she has a pleasant progress spurt in 2024. Fingers crossed.
Although that individual plan has been (principally) dominated out, doing Early Entry with Megatron in any respect 4 parks is oddly vital to me. I would like her to have avenue cred as a severe rope dropper. Sure, I actually am an limitless fount of unhealthy concepts, with a specialty in unimpressive accomplishments!
First Go to to EPCOT – I swear this isn’t only a record of “firsts,” though these are loads of the experiences we’re actually excited for! EPCOT particularly is absolutely, actually vital. For as a lot as I complain about it, that’s coming from a spot of affection–I would like the park to be one of the best model of itself. (See Why We Can’t Let EPCOT Go.)
Greater than the rest in my life, EPCOT formed who I’m right now. That may sound corny and cliche, however it’s true. As a toddler, the park sparked my creativeness. Figment and Dreamfinder impressed me, fostered my creativity, and a lot extra. Different pavilions piqued my curiosity about manatees, dinosaurs, and extra. I didn’t care a lot for varsity, however EPCOT made me excited to study (okay, it tricked me into studying.)
As adults, World Showcase expanded our horizons. My worldview was embarrassingly Amerocentric effectively into my 20s. Worldwide journey was not one thing I had finished or had a lot curiosity in doing–I didn’t have a passport till 2012. World Showcase was a catalyst for this, and it fueled an amazing quantity of private progress. Suffice to say, EPCOT has modified our lives for the higher.
Each father or mother desires higher for his or her children, and for us, a giant a part of that is exposing Megatron to completely different cultures and customs early. Interacting with Forged Members in World Showcase, introducing her to completely different cuisines, and doing all the things potential to point out her how each huge and small the world actually is.
I extremely doubt Future World will do for her what it did for me–or a greater job than the Kids’s Museum of Indianapolis and different real-world spots we plan on visiting–however I’m nonetheless very excited for her to fulfill Figment. And journey the journey, I assume. Dwelling with the Land and the Dwelling Seas pavilion are additionally excessive our our record.
4 Parks in 1 Day – Actually, I’m not 100% certain whether or not that is one thing we’ve ever finished. If we did it as a problem or concerted effort, it should’ve been some time in the past and wasn’t significantly memorable, as I’ve in some way forgotten. Extra possible, we did it accidentally. Again within the halcyon days of late 2019 when Additional, Additional Magic Hours had been a factor, we had been going exhausting and having fun with the low crowds. I feel there’s an honest likelihood it occurred then, however inadvertently. (The months main as much as March 2020 are actually a little bit of a blur!)
In any case, we actually need to do it (once more?) with Megatron. Not simply to show the haters unsuitable, however to see if it may be finished with an toddler and what we are able to really accomplish as a part of a problem with child. As a future fan herself (fingers crossed), I additionally suppose this will likely be cool bragging rights sometime together with her mates. “Have you ever ever finished the 4-parks, 1-day problem?” “Pffft, I’ve been doing that since earlier than I turned one!”
Dine at Each Character Meal – Most likely not a shock to see this make the record given Sarah’s strategies revolved round character eating. However really, that’s not the only real motivation for this entry.
It’s been at the least 4 years since we’ve finished most Walt Disney World and Disneyland character meals. Even shortly earlier than the closure, we had been ready to revisit a few of them till we had a child–it simply made sense. Then March 2020 occurred and…I don’t should spell out why we didn’t/couldn’t do character meals the following two years.
In any case, considered one of our huge Disney New 12 months’s Resolutions for the final 2 years has been revisiting each character meal. With nearly all the meals lastly again to regular, 2023 was going to be the yr once we lastly buckled down and did them once more as a pair. As soon as once more, we didn’t–however couldn’t be extra happy by the rationale why this time! 2024 is lastly, for actual, going to be our yr.
Maximize the Disney Eating Plan – This form of goes hand-in-hand with the above. The final time Sarah and I did the Disney Eating Plan was March 2020, proper when the then-new, now-defunct Disney Eating Plan Plus got here out. It was loads of enjoyable on the time to do a bunch of character meals back-to-back, however now it’s morphed right into a reminiscence we affiliate with COVID. Not so enjoyable.
Doing one other spherical of DDP maximization offers us an opportunity to color over that outdated reminiscence, forces us to be severe about ADRs, and means loads of character meals once more. One stone, a number of birds.
Our Favourite Week as a Household – As intimated above and elsewhere, all of my journeys this yr have been solo. I used to truly get pleasure from journeys on my own once they had been rare and a change of tempo, however the novelty wore off way back and I’ve come to detest it. (No disrespect to the only riders on the market–to every their very own!)
For 2 consecutive years, we haven’t been in a position to do our favourite week of the yr at Walt Disney World collectively. It didn’t appear to be a giant deal final yr–we had a scheduling battle and it arguably made extra sense as we might cowl extra floor and dates, whereas we took turns preserving Yossarian the Cat and Walter Dogsney firm. Little did we all know on the time that it might change into a pattern lasting till the next Christmas.
Suffice to say, we’re past able to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together as a household. To see Candlelight Processional collectively (most likely from outdoors the amphitheater, however it nonetheless counts). To work together with the Merry Menagerie. To attend Jollywood…eh, perhaps we’ll give that one a go! 😉
Very Merrytime Cruise – We beforehand did one of many Christmas sailings aboard Disney Cruise Line in late 2019, and I used to be a bit underwhelmed on the time. (See our Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise Overview.) Time has been a lot kinder to these reminiscences, and I now suppose I used to be approach too harsh. Humorous how that works.
In reviewing all of Sarah’s photographs and listening to what she needed to say about Halloween on the Excessive Seas final yr, it made me keen to present the Very Merrytime cruise a second likelihood. So, we had been going to do exactly that for Christmas 2024.
We’re additionally simply typically extra excited for cruising with Megatron. By all accounts, it’s the straightforward trip with a small little one, and I’m going to should “study” how one can decelerate. If something, that makes me really feel vindicated by my previous reluctance to cruising–there are nonetheless a ton of itineraries we haven’t finished and can get to expertise as a household!
Cinderella Fortress Dream Lights – The ball is in your court docket, Disney. Do the appropriate factor, convey again the Cinderella Fortress Dream Lights, and win over the hearts and minds of disgruntled followers. And the eyes of our daughter, who is totally transfixed by Christmas lights. (I’m actually unsure if we are able to ethically take down our Christmas tree at dwelling subsequent week!)
There’s a model of this record that’s completely Christmas. It’s our favourite time of the yr at Walt Disney World and is at all times on our minds. However nothing else compares with the Cinderella Fortress Dream Lights, although. As tacky because it sounds, there’s one thing really optimism-inducing and awe-inspiring about Magic Kingdom’s icon being illuminated in 1000’s of good lights. I actually, actually hope we get an opportunity to spend a cold late evening on Major Road as the gang clears out, the glow of Cinderella Fortress is mirrored within the pavement, and the cheery background music units a festive temper.
Disneyland & Walt Disney World within the Similar Day – That is from our unique Disney bucket record, and we nonetheless in some way haven’t finished it. On the time, this was our objective whereas dwelling in Indiana. We’ve since resided in each California and Florida, however nonetheless haven’t managed the feat.
Doing this appears like yet one more alternative to show the haters unsuitable (“who’s even saying you’ll be able to’t try this?!” ~Sarah), embracing our internal dorkiness and getting photographs of us holding up the day’s problems with the Orlando Sentinel and Los Angeles Instances in entrance of Cinderella Fortress and Sleeping Magnificence Fortress.
Touring Outdoors Disney – World Showcase undoubtedly opened my eyes to the world, however I don’t need to diminish what my dad and mom did. My household traveled rather a lot after I was younger, and I’m extremely grateful to my mother and pa for taking me tenting, touring to Nationwide Parks, and visiting so many states–from West Virginia to Washington. That additionally formed me.
We need to do the identical for Megatron. America is a tremendous and exquisite place, and there are great individuals, cultures, and websites inside our 50 states–each single considered one of which has one thing unbelievable to supply. It worries us that so many younger individuals and the terminally on-line don’t acknowledge this, so we need to do all the things in our energy to present our daughter that America is without doubt one of the best locations on this planet. To have her see that we’re extra alike than we’re completely different, and to instill in her a way of inveterate optimism early-on.
Disney within the Snow – This has made each single incarnation of our Disney Bucket Lists or New 12 months’s Resolutions–it’s our white whale. I grew up within the snow belt of Michigan, and was uncovered to the “Lake Impact Snow Machine” all through my childhood. That began a lifelong love of snow, and there are few issues I discover to be extra lovely than a recent layer of powder blanketing the timber. In fact, California and Florida are out in relation to important snow accumulation.
Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland are completely different tales, and it appears to snow about as soon as per yr (give or take) in every. A few years in the past, we spent a lot of the winter in Japan, however had no such luck with snow. We’ll both have to try this once more (which appears unlikely) or get fortunate with timing a visit. Chilly climate with out snow isn’t any enjoyable, so the latter is a reasonably large gamble.
Child’s First Worldwide Flight – I’m terrified for this. I’ve misplaced depend of what number of articles I’ve examine flying internationally with a child. The success tales. The horror tales. (If anybody want to share their experiences–good or unhealthy–within the feedback, I’d like to learn them!) I’m preoccupied about this to the purpose that I’m having goals about it.
We’ve talked to mates about flying internationally with a child, and nearly all of them have allayed our fears and sometimes-enthusiastically really useful touring as near the 6-month mark as potential. They’ve described this because the “candy spot” earlier than the child is absolutely cellular and energetic, however after they begin sleeping extra and are much less fussy.
Rationally, this makes full sense and could be very a lot our plan. However proper now we’re within the eye of the storm, so to talk, and it’s exhausting to check a time when the dreaded witching hour isn’t a factor. We’ve gotten fairly good at soothing, however that requires transferring round (typically outside!) with the child service, which received’t at all times be potential on a airplane.
We are also extremely cognizant and apprehensive of being “these individuals” who’re a burden, in the best way, annoying, and so forth. (I feel perhaps this can be a Midwestern factor?) Once more, rationally we all know that everybody was a child and folks must get locations no matter age. It’s only a reality of life. And we ourselves have by no means been irritated by crying infants on planes, so there’s no hypocrisy guilt…however there’s nonetheless a really huge psychological barrier.
However we’re going to do it, and I already realize it’s going to be probably the most satisfying feeling ever as soon as that airplane lands (hopefully not for an unplanned cease to kick us off!). I’ll be kissing the bottom and high-kicking the air as soon as we cross this off Child’s Bucket Listing!
Opening Day at Fantasy Springs – That first worldwide flight is how we get to Japan for the opening of Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea, which we’ve been anxiously awaiting since watching its building from our lodge room at Christmas 2019. Daily throughout that go to whereas strolling in entrance of the location entry level to the monorail station, Sarah would say ‘ohayou gozaimasu‘ to the development employee on guard, who would enthusiastically (shockingly so!) say the identical in response to her.
It’s no secret that we love Japan and Tokyo Disney Resort and would need to take Megatron regardless. However this particularly appears like a full circle alternative, closing one chapter and beginning one other. It’s troublesome to totally articulate, however the level is that that is significant for each the substance of the factor (we’re actually excited for Fantasy Springs!) and the symbolism of it.
Even when we’re in some way not even in a position to get into the brand new land or do a single attraction, opening day continues to be one thing we very a lot need to be there to expertise. That will not make sense, however it’s nonetheless the #1 entry on our Child Bricker Bucket Listing by way of significance.
It’s been enjoyable crossing objects off of our Disney bucket record over the course of the final decade-plus, and helped preserve the parks recent for us even after quite a few visits. There’s at all times one thing we haven’t finished, whether or not it’s a brand new seasonal occasion, restaurant, and so forth., to assist preserve issues recent. With Child Bricker but to expertise so many firsts, it appears like we’re beginning over from sq. one with a clean slate and recent record. We completely can not wait.
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Your Ideas
What do you consider our Child Bricker Disney Bucket Listing slash Toddler Journey Targets slash New 12 months’s Resolutions for 2024 and Past? Every other significant milestones you’ll be able to consider for an toddler or toddler at Disney that we must always add to the record? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
