Megatron’s first journey to Walt Disney World was one among our greatest household holidays, however it wasn’t with out challenges. That is the ‘grand finale’ to Child Bricker’s first WDW journey report, with persevering with protection of what went incorrect. It options images & ideas on forcing firsts, early mornings vs. late nights, trip downtime, our Figment Fail and extra.
That is the fourth a part of our Walt Disney World journey report, the direct follow-up to our ‘dad or mum fails’ throughout Megatron’s first WDW journey. Earlier than that, we shared ‘what went proper’ throughout our household journey – half 1 and half 2. In the event you’re searching for the positives from this journey (and the overwhelming majority was wonderful), take a look at these first two elements. They’re the heartwarming tales and images from Child Bricker’s first trip to Walt Disney World.
General, this was enjoyable and immensely satisfying as we rediscovered Walt Disney World as dad and mom. It was additionally an enormous studying expertise and went removed from flawlessly, however we wouldn’t commerce this journey–warts and all–for something. Anyway, right here’s the ultimate installment of this report with extra of our challenges in taking Child Bricker (Megatron) to Walt Disney World for the primary time. Let’s dig proper in…
Early Entry & Rope Drop – Given the previously-discussed points with Megatron’s sleep schedule, this isn’t going to return as even a slight shock, however we didn’t do a single Early Entry or rope drop as a household. (I did a pair solo and can have experiences on these quickly.) Collectively, we made it to the parks earlier than 11 a.m. a grand whole of 1 time.
The shortage of rope drops was to be anticipated, as we have been maintaining Megatron on Pacific time. She will get up for the day at house between 5:30 and 6 a.m., and early as that’s, it’s nonetheless too late for Early Entry when you account for preparing and transportation.
What I didn’t absolutely respect is simply how lengthy it might take to get out the door every morning. (Now I do know why the later Early Entry at Magic Kingdom is a lot busier than those that begin an hour earlier!) Positively way more of a manufacturing to get a child prepared, and it appeared that by the point we received every thing achieved, there have been sure steps of the ‘course of’ that already needed to be repeated. Once more, I hope that is partially a “abilities situation” and as we turn out to be more proficient at touring, we’ll be capable to get out the door sooner.
On the different finish of the spectrum, one factor I forgot to say as one thing that went proper was late nights. Megatron’s “superb” bedtime at house is 7 to eight p.m. (huge time air quotes round superb), which is 10-11 p.m. Japanese. Because of this, we have been capable of do park closings with ease. We didn’t try Prolonged Night Hours, however suppose we are going to subsequent journey. That shall be throughout the hotter summer season months and we’ll need to spend extra trip after darkish because of this.
Forcing Firsts – A couple of months in the past, we made ourselves a ‘Child Bricker Bucket Record’ that additionally capabilities as a listing of meant firsts. Our considering was that we need to be purposeful about what she does and when, so we (and she or he) can look again on the issues she did first at every of the parks and when. We additionally need to have the ability to repeat sure milestones and reminiscences through the years, so we wished to be strategic in selecting points of interest and experiences that can in all probability be round for many years to return.
That is all a fantastic thought in principle, and we are going to form of proceed to do it. The issue is that infants are about as unpredictable and sleepy as a home cat. We discovered ourselves placing issues off that we meant upon doing as a result of naps or different issues intervened. For instance, we deliberate on her sporting a particular outfit for her first trip on Journey into Creativeness, after which assembly Figment as we exited the trip. We additionally deliberate on her being awake for this.
We walked over to Journey into Creativeness three separate occasions with that plan in thoughts. All 3 times, she fell asleep throughout the commute. Because it seems, EPCOT is an enormous park (who knew?) and the newborn provider is a great spot for a nap! I’m unsure that I essentially remorse this, as her first trip (awake!) on Journey into Creativeness was actually memorable.
Usually, although, I believe we tried to choreograph an excessive amount of with the firsts and that led to us losing numerous time and doing extra strolling and fewer precise issues. The top outcome with Journey into Creativeness made that “price it,” however even that had one not-so-minor drawback. Sooner or later, we’ll be extra prepared to roll with the punches and simply let no matter occurs, occur.
Figment Fail – That one not-so-minor drawback with Journey into Creativeness is that Megatron has but to satisfy Figment. Between our late begins, his restricted set schedule, and her falling asleep en path to the Creativeness Pavilion…it simply didn’t occur. We nearly referred to as an audible and went to EPCOT on our final partial day, however we might’ve had ~45 minutes when all was stated and achieved and that may’ve been an enormous waste had she simply fallen asleep once more. Plus, we’ve discovered {that a} 45 minute window can vanish very quickly in any respect with a child.
Truthfully, we don’t remorse this! Whereas it might’ve been wonderful to roll with the punches and do different issues whereas she was asleep, assembly Figment was not a kind of issues. It’s actually necessary to us that she’s awake for her first encounter with Figment, as the entire meet & greets she’s achieved whereas awake have been particular and enjoyable, whereas those she’s achieved whereas asleep haven’t. If meaning pushing Figment off till she’s probably much less enamored with characters (I do know there’s an ebb and stream), so be it.
Wanting scheduling a number of extra days at EPCOT, there was nothing we might’ve achieved otherwise to keep away from this. It wasn’t a mistake–simply one thing that went incorrect. Hopefully she’ll be visiting Walt Disney World for the remainder of her life, so not each main “first” needed to occur this primary journey. Right here’s hoping the Figment meet & greet occurs subsequent time!
Sophisticated Outfits – Megatron should store at Dan Flashes, as a result of her outfits are so sophisticated. I get why individuals like cute clothes ensembles for infants as they’re nice for images and all that, however I’m not a fan. The extra items an outfit has, the extra seemingly one thing is to get misplaced or get bunched up within the child provider and trigger discomfort.
Maybe worst of all, it’s an incredible problem for inept people making an attempt to vary infants and fighting socks or pants as child does their greatest Pelé impression. (Not that I converse from expertise or something–simply searching for my fellow fathers…or moms! However significantly, why do not one of the parenting books focus on this? There ought to be a full chapter devoted to socks shenanigans.)
I’m the professional on numerous issues. that. I do know that. Uh, not numerous issues. A couple of issues. However trend is undoubtedly one among them. And in my thought of opinion, the head of child model is the onesie and the highest designer is the Home of Burt’s Bees. Shopping their lookbook for the Summer season 2024 season, and there are simply so many putting kinds. Dinosaur onesies, dragon onesies, shark onesies. That’s a design group on the high of their recreation; true child couture.
Half-joking apart, actually all of my favourite outfits for Megatron are from Burt’s Bees they usually go laborious. Going ahead, I hope that she solely wears onesies whereas touring for his or her ease and ease. I do know that if I might get away with all the time sporting one-piece pajamas in public, I completely would. We shouldn’t deprive her of this golden window of alternative earlier than it turns into socially unacceptable.
Experience Downtime – This was not distinctive to our journey. Many friends as of late appear to suppose they skilled atypically dangerous trip breakdowns throughout their Walt Disney World trip. In actuality, that’s as a result of attraction downtime is much larger than its historic common.
I’m unsure whether or not that clarification makes it higher or worse. Distress loves firm, so maybe you’re taking solace figuring out others are in the identical boat. Or perhaps you’re mad that Disney doesn’t deal with this identified situation. (Truthfully, I don’t know if it’s one thing they even can absolutely deal with. Keep in mind how we warned of the lack of institutional information with the furloughs and layoffs again in 2020? Properly, look no additional than this for the “fruits” of that short-sighted choice, as upkeep departments have been decimated and have far fewer years of tenure.)
Both method, this was a difficulty for us but once more. It was additionally a much bigger deal, perception-wise, when visiting with Megatron for the primary time since there are extra transferring items with a child. Whereas on a solo journey or when it’s simply the 2 of us, we will rapidly pivot when what we meant to do is down. Not likely that huge of a deal, besides throughout Early Entry. It was undoubtedly extra annoying this time, and I can see how this might be much more irritating with older youngsters, grandparents, or anybody with mobility points.
Animal Kingdom – We have been extra excited to take Megatron to Animal Kingdom than some other park at Walt Disney World. Properly, apart from EPCOT. Okay, and Magic Kingdom. However we have been undoubtedly extra excited for DAK than DHS…and third place out of 4 continues to be respectable!
This was totally for the animals. She loves Yossarian the Cat and Walter Dogsney–and I imply loves them. The cat specifically, as a result of he’s very cat-like and spends his day tucked away in random packing containers and sleeping within the closet, so she doesn’t see him a lot. However when Yossarian comes up for deal with time and she or he spots him, she goes nuts. Yossarian in all probability ranks larger than I do along with her.
Megatron additionally actually likes seeing the newborn geese and cats at Disneyland, so we assumed Animal Kingdom could be a house run along with her. That it might simply blow her thoughts with otters, unique pigs, flamingos, huge cats, and so forth.
We assumed incorrect. As greatest I can inform, she noticed one animal all day lengthy–a random duck within the walkway. The remainder of the time, she fixated on posts, handrails, or reflections in glass of the animal enclosures. I’m no child scientist, however she simply saved specializing in the foreground–and there was all the time one thing nearer to her than the critters. So it didn’t matter {that a} actually cool creature that may’ve blown her thoughts was off within the distance, as a result of she had to determine what was up with the pole inside her attain. And by that, I imply she needed to try and seize it so she might lick it.
Since we don’t let her lick any overseas objects, Animal Kingdom was an enormous disappointment for her. (What’s the purpose of all these posts in the event that they can’t be licked?!) Consequently, Megatron’s favourite “animal park” is a crown nonetheless held by Disneyland because of its ducklings, goslings (child geese, not Ryan), cats, and different assorted critters. DAK was her least favourite park and undoubtedly our least favourite as dad and mom. As soon as you’re taking the animals out of the equation, there’s not a ton to do for infants.
That’s actually the salient level of this from a planning perspective. You probably have a child and are debating which park to skip at Walt Disney World, give critical thought to Animal Kingdom. Earlier than this journey, I might’ve assumed Disney’s Hollywood Studios could be the park to skip given how thrill-centric it’s turn out to be and what number of points of interest have peak necessities. However DHS is extra doable and fulfilling with infants, at the least in our view.
Animal Kingdom’s situation is that there’s not a ton for anybody, however infants have it particularly tough as a lot of the rides price doing have peak necessities and/or are jerky. It’s additionally a scorching park with a ton of space to traverse, and never many “low stakes” choices for sitting in air-conditioning, because the stage exhibits are all pretty lengthy and concerned. Usually that’s factor from our perspective, however not a lot with an toddler. It’s powerful to commit that a lot time to a high-quality manufacturing in an enormous theater, as you don’t need to disturb different friends if issues go sideways, and leaving rapidly isn’t precisely simple.
Unsurprisingly, Magic Kingdom was far and away the perfect park for a child. We went in absolutely anticipating that as a result of Magic Kingdom is arguably the perfect park for all age teams with the biggest and most well-rounded slate of points of interest–and likewise as a result of it’s our private favourite. We’re additionally huge EPCOT followers, in fact, however we ended up being barely shocked at simply how good of a park that was for infants. The entire indoor pavilions supply big benefit; there are additionally sufficient smaller scale and low stakes points of interest which are good and relaxed for young children.
Celebrity Sarah – This isn’t one thing that went incorrect, however slightly, the rationale this listing isn’t double or triple its size. Whereas I’m actually struggling to placed on pants (each my very own and the newborn’s on her), Sarah is singlehandedly holding the entire operation collectively. Simply have a look at her within the picture above…she’s not even flexing!
To not perpetuate the bumbling dad stereotype–I’d like to think about myself as semi-competent and I really hate not being good at something–however I simply appear to come across extra, ahem, technical difficulties with Megatron. For instance, socks. How do you retain them on a child and, moreover, how on earth do you get them again on (assuming you don’t lose them outright) these tiny, always transferring ft? If Megatron is barely 50% sockless when left in my care, I take that as a win.
Sarah by some means manages to do all of it flawlessly, in a perpetual state of sleep deprivation with out criticism. I don’t know when the final time was that she received ~3 hours of uninterrupted sleep, however undoubtedly not within the 12 months 2024. Perhaps someday final November? There was a quick window the place issues appeared to be swell earlier than sleep regression reared its ugly head. I’m in fixed awe that Sarah has managed the strain and calls for of this 24/7 job with out lacking a beat. I’d be completely dropping my thoughts.
At house and through this journey, Sarah does and did the heavy lifting. I assist the place I can, from carrying Megatron to rocking her to sleep at night time, amongst different issues. However there are limitations on what I’m capable of do as contrasted with Sarah. When the newborn begins crying and Hey Bear (my final line of protection) can’t get her to cease, there are solely two issues Megatron desires, and I don’t have these. I’m clearly a distant second favourite, maybe #3 behind Yossarian.
Ultimately, fortunately way more went proper than incorrect on our first journey to Walt Disney World. At the very least 90% of that was as a consequence of Sarah being a fantastic mother, anticipating issues and wishes earlier than they come up and making all of it appear simple. I’m very, very conscious that it’s most undoubtedly not simple, as a result of after I’m working the present, we’re having hassle simply maintaining ft absolutely socked. Though I suppose perhaps these journey experiences would’ve been “simpler” if it have been me in cost, as a result of what went incorrect would’ve been a one phrase put up: every thing.
Even over the span of 4 posts and over 12,000 phrases, there’s nonetheless loads that we haven’t even coated. Issues that neither went proper nor incorrect, however simply “went.” This contains numerous issues, from two of the hardest airports wherever (Los Angeles and Orlando) to the flights to desk service meals and extra.
The excellent news is that this journey was a fantastic studying expertise for us, and we’ve already put among the classes to make use of. I’m so glad we did this earlier than touring to Tokyo Disney Resort for the primary time, as this expertise taught us loads and reshaped our strategy. From issues so simple as packing extra effectively to studying learn how to higher regulate her sleep schedule. Already, the second journey goes higher than Child Bricker’s first!
As we proceed to get extra expertise below our belts, we’ll begin sharing recommendation slightly than first hand experiences. Flying with a child is an enormous one from that perspective, however we’ll even have extra on child sporting, navigating locations with and with no stroller, character meal critiques, and a ton extra. For now, thanks for becoming a member of us on this journey–we hope you discovered one thing from what went incorrect throughout Child Bricker’s first journey to Walt Disney World…or at the least had fun at my and Sarah’s expense!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study resorts on our Walt Disney World Lodges Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing it’s essential to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on what went incorrect or proper throughout Child Bricker’s first journey to Walt Disney World? Anything you’re inquisitive about studying about with regard to Megatron, infants within the parks, and so forth? Anecdotes of your individual about first visits to the Disney parks? Some other questions? Listening to your suggestions is all the time appreciated, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
