We simply returned from among the best Walt Disney World holidays ever, and the primary one of many subsequent chapter of our lives. It was immensely satisfying doing WDW as newly-minted dad and mom, extremely joyous to see our daughter react to the whole lot, and likewise a large studying expertise.
That final half might be what’s most attention-grabbing–what went improper and the errors we made alongside the way in which. And I received’t sugarcoat or current our lives as picture-perfect or sanitized for social media; we screwed up so much. However such is the character of being dad and mom, proper? (Or so I’m advised?) We’ll cowl all of that quickly, so you possibly can doubtlessly be taught from our errors…or snicker at/with us, because the case could also be.
For now, as we trip the post-trip excessive, I wish to give attention to a listing of the highlights. Consider this as a quasi-trip report of the whole lot that went proper on Child Bricker’s first journey to Walt Disney World and our first trip collectively as a household in over a 12 months. Even with some points alongside the way in which, the nervousness and fears we felt whereas planning all melted away as soon as we stepped off the Mears Join shuttle. We had been collectively at Walt Disney World once more, with our daughter. Holy cow. That’s when the euphoria kicked in.
Crowds – As mentioned in our Pre-Journey Report for Child Bricker’s First Walt Disney World Go to, we deliberated lengthy and onerous on dates. For essentially the most half, this was looking for the suitable stability of crowds and climate.
We selected correctly. It was a calculated determination to go down earlier than the unofficial finish of spring break season (Tax Day), as we strongly suspected that–even with some faculties within the Midwest and Northeast having later breaks–that crowds would get significantly better instantly after Easter.
That proved right. Most of our days had been 1/10 to three/10 crowd ranges, with “looks like” crowds to match. Sarah (snarkily) commented that for as a lot as I’ve complained about crowds at EPCOT, it certain felt fairly blissful to her. And he or she was proper–our days at EPCOT had been the least busy that park has felt since my visits final August and September in the course of the low season lows. Fairly the distinction to each single go to in 2024.
It was an identical story at each different park, save for a few localized areas of congestion in Magic Kingdom. All in all, the crowds had been nonexistent and this laid the muse for a unbelievable first go to with Child Bricker (Megatron).
Climate – Whereas we selected correctly with crowds, we flat-out obtained fortunate with climate. As a lot as I really like the low crowds of August and September, the warmth and humidity might be brutal. And as satisfied as I used to be/am that attendance and wait instances will likely be even decrease by the primary week of Might, I used to be additionally fearful concerning the accompanying threat of worse climate.
I used to be thus very happy with the climate this journey, which ranged from the excessive 50s to mid-80s. Highlighting the climate as a energy might sound ineffective for planners, however that is an underrated side of visiting round spring break. March and April are way more prone to have gentle and nice temperatures than are different faculty breaks. Through the vacation season, it’s usually too chilly; in summer season, it’s too scorching. Spring break climate is often good.
Extra to the purpose, if we visited even one week later (which is why this was flat-out fortunate), the forecast highs could be within the low to mid-90s, roughly 10° hotter than our dates. I’ll fortunately take barely greater (however nonetheless very low) crowds for cooler temperatures; it’s a straightforward tradeoff, particularly provided that we deliberate on doing a number of babywearing. Talking of which…
Babywearing – We’ve develop into large babywearing followers. Child Bricker is worn on considered one of us in a child service for a number of hours per day, and we’ve already logged a dozen Disney visits sans stroller–solely in a mushy structured service. That works splendidly the place we stay and at Disneyland; it’s been chilly or at the least snug since Megatron’s arrival.
We had been fearful Walt Disney World was going to be a complete completely different babywearing ballgame. Opting solely to babywear at Walt Disney World looks as if strolling a tightrope with out a security web. It was 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.
Within the lead-up to the journey, our stroller plans modified so much. Because of reader suggestions, a positive climate forecast, and the sensible actuality that we had been taking our personal automotive seat, we known as a comparatively last-minute audible and opted to take our personal stroller. The plan was for it to be a backup, and one which we’d use if/when babywearing grew to become insufferable.
That by no means actually occurred! We solely took the stroller to the parks a few instances, and it spent most of that point parked. The stroller was extra of a hindrance than a assist, however we’re nonetheless glad we introduced it. Had our backs began hurting or it babywearing had been uncomfortable after so many hours, it was good to have the stroller as insurance coverage.
As for babywearing, it was unbelievable. Megatron likes to sleep within the service, so it made naptime a breeze. And though our stroller has nice dealing with, nothing beats the agility of merely strolling round like regular. She will be able to go anyplace we go within the service, which means stairs and escalators, in addition to weaving by means of the parks with ease. No worries about curbs, queues, or tight areas in present outlets. We will additionally transfer nimbly and stroll briskly with the newborn service–try this whereas pushing a stroller and also you flip the factor right into a makeshift battering ram, dealing critical injury to the ankles of anybody strolling too gingerly.
Greater than that or the rest, it’s so satisfying to have the newborn at eye degree and see as she reacts to this or that, will get excited or furrows her forehead. A lot of the enjoyment of this journey was seeing Walt Disney World mirrored in her eyes and I simply don’t assume that will’ve been doable to the identical diploma along with her “so far-off” within the stroller.
Clearly this journey was for us since she received’t keep in mind it, but it surely was largely for us to expertise Walt Disney World vicariously through her. Seeing her uncover and react to the parks whereas at eye degree with us within the service made for priceless reminiscences. All three of us love the service–there’s actually nothing fairly like her laughing as she gazes up at us or having her spontaneously begin nap time utilizing our chests. (I might in all probability do with out these little fingers hooking my mouth like a largemouth bass, although.)
Character Eating – Nowhere had been these discoveries and reactions higher than at character eating experiences. We ended up doing a number of of those, and I can already see why some dad and mom love them a lot. I appreciated them earlier than (at the least those with fur characters), but it surely was only a completely completely different ballgame with a child.
Megatron has met Mickey and pals many instances at Disneyland. She was asleep for over half of these encounters, and the opposite half had been comparatively temporary albeit cherished reminiscences along with her going into “Dolphin Mode.” Her eyes get actually large and fill with happiness as she flaps round her legs and arms, making a high-pitched chirping noise to echolocate the character.
Nearly throughout the board, the Walt Disney World fur characters at meals spent extra time along with her. They lingered and did issues to facilitate good interactions, like purposefully leaning in so she might contact them. Mouse nostril immediately catapulted to the highest of her checklist of favourite toys–it was so standard along with her that it actually made me marvel if Walt knew mice could be an enormous hit with youngsters and that’s a part of why he selected such a seemingly odd animal. (This in all probability sounds loopy, just like the rantings of a sleep-deprived lunatic.)
Face characters, at the least the princesses, had been much more standard. We had each breakfast and dinner booked at 1900 Park Fare, and I used to be actually type of dreading that many interactions with the royalty. I’ve all the time been awkward and fumbled these interactions up to now, however once more, completely completely different ballgame with a child.
The princesses (and Aladdin) did the entire work and 90% of that was geared toward Megatron somewhat than us. She had so much to say to Tiana and the way in which her eyes lit up when gazing at Cinderella was past heartwarming–I can now see why dad and mom drop ridiculous quantities of cash on all issues princesses. (Yikes for our future selves.) Aladdin was a lot much less standard, however he did examine her to Abu (ironic since she has a Grumpy Monkey e book and the comparability typically isn’t far off).
I’m already anticipating a number of character meals in the course of the subsequent…decade, perhaps? It’s onerous to articulate till you’ve skilled, but it surely’s simply such a extra nice expertise to take a seat down, take pleasure in a meal, and let the characters come to you. It’s much less worrying and rushed than a meet & greet, an opportunity to loosen up and decompress for a bit. Clearly that is solely our first journey with Child Bricker, however I’d think about that character eating experiences develop into our #1 splurge going ahead–or we begin utilizing the Disney Eating Plan so much extra.
Forged Members – All the time the guts and soul of Walt Disney World, we discovered that Forged Members are particularly nice with infants. That is one thing we’ve truly seen in the true world, as random strangers are extra personable. Individuals smile at us extra and make small speak as a substitute of ignoring us. Workers exit of their approach to supply help and are extremely pleasant. (“Us” on this situation is basically simply me; folks have all the time been pleasant in direction of and talked to Sarah.)
I actually anticipated the reverse of this. Maybe it’s the dormant Midwesterners in us, however we’ve been nervous about doing issues in public with the newborn and err on the facet of being apologetic (to a fault) for being intrusive to others. To be clear, I’ve all the time felt that infants have a proper to exist in public and wouldn’t apologize for that (nor would we take her to a bar or locations which might be very clearly not child-friendly). However I nonetheless anticipated some sid-eye and curt attitudes. We’ve but to come across that in any respect.
That clearly wasn’t going to be a problem at Walt Disney World. However, it was nonetheless stunning simply how a lot nicer and chattier the already pleasant Disney Forged Members grew to become within the presence of child. Most likely as a result of it’s a straightforward and obvious space for widespread floor. Like a staff hat, however extra common. A excessive share of the inhabitants is dad and mom, and 99.99% of all folks have been infants. (Benjamin Button syndrome afflicts lower than .01% of the inhabitants, proper?)
Having a pretext for interacting with Forged Members was nice, and jogged my memory of what we used to like a lot about pin buying and selling. It was enjoyable to listen to tales or life classes about their youngsters. We additionally loved chatting with Disney lifers who had been grandparents and had raised two generations on Walt Disney World.
And I’d be mendacity if I didn’t admit that it warms our hearts to listen to compliments about our child. She’s so cute/lovable; she appears identical to the Gerber Child; she certain is social; such a well-behaved child; and so forth. The logical and rational a part of my thoughts is aware of that is faint reward–nobody goes to say anybody else’s child appears like a hairless troll. However I suppose I’m superficial and straightforward to please, as a result of I really like this. Why sure, my child is the most effective child ever; thanks for recognizing this!
Journey into Creativeness – I remorse to tell you that I now love the present model of Journey into Creativeness and can not be the top cheerleader for its overdue demise. Kidding…kinda. However I do have a newfound appreciation for the terrible attraction after seeing it anew by means of my daughter’s eyes.
Journey into Creativeness didn’t find yourself being her first trip, as deliberate, for causes that’ll be mentioned in our ‘what went improper’ follow-up put up. Nevertheless it was the primary attraction for which she was awake and engaged, and it was past something I might’ve imagined.
The look of wide-eyed wonderment the primary time she noticed that dancing Figment Audio Animatronics determine alone made all of it price it. Subsequent scenes proved this wasn’t only a fluke, as she was captivated all through…together with a bit an excessive amount of in the course of the skunk stench phase.
Look, I’m totally conscious that the trip in all probability simply struck the suitable sensory excessive notes and that these had been reactions to the suitable mixture of colours, sounds, shapes, and so forth. Past that, there’s undoubtedly projection on my half, as seeing Figment by means of my daughter’s eyes is the final word shot of nostalgia for once I was a child.
However her reactions had been additionally actual and her personal, and regardless of the underlying rationales, it was such an emotional expertise. This was considered one of many ‘full circle’ moments for us on this Walt Disney World journey. I can’t wait to look at her evolving reactions to Figment and Journey into Creativeness, together with the inevitable ‘part’ when she writes a dissertation on why Journey into Creativeness 4.0 (coming in 2034) is pales compared to its predecessor and isn’t what Walt or Tony Baxter would’ve wished.
Joking apart, it needs to be no shock that Figment resonates with kids; there’s a purpose followers waited in line hours for popcorn buckets, and it’s not that folks actually love popcorn. It’s as a result of he represents the imaginative and inquisitive youngster in all of us, actually within the case of precise youngsters. It actually will likely be enjoyable to look at Megatron develop up on Figment–she already loves the character, listening to his story and tune, and seeing him each day at dwelling.
Up to date – We’ve all the time appreciated resorts inside strolling distance of the parks or that provided non-bus transportation. That was true when it was simply us, and is doubly true with a child in want of nap or bedtime. With the ability to stroll from Magic Kingdom to and from the resort is big, and never subjecting others on transportation to fussiness is good. (Once more, I do know it’s only a truth of life and that is Walt Disney World, however we nonetheless really feel uneasy about being a ache to others.)
The benefit of the situation was fully unsurprising–and we’ve develop into greater followers of the Backyard Wing (nice bang for buck) even earlier than this. The stunning half was the scale of the room, and the way necessary that was for us. Truthfully, regardless that room measurement and cupboard space are issues we take note of when reviewing resorts, that’s solely as a result of we all know they’re necessary to others. Previously, I’ve by no means actually cared all that a lot about these issues. We pack mild, not needing a lot cupboard space or large rooms.
Because it seems, including one child that’s lower than 10% of the scale of an grownup human doesn’t enhance what it’s good to pack by 10%. Customary logic would dictate that, since child garments are fairly small, that will roughly be the case. It is rather a lot not the case. Megatron isn’t a lightweight packer, and this one child doesn’t simply want as a lot stuff as one grownup, however in actual fact, greater than each of us mixed.
Previously, we’ve additionally been fairly effectively organized (sometimes not even needing Mousekeeping!). Not this time. As oft-overwhelmed new dad and mom, it appeared like a hurricane made landfall in our room roughly 7 minutes after our arrival, and it by no means actually obtained any higher. The above photograph is not consultant of how our room truly appeared in the course of the journey. It’s a carefully-crafted phantasm.
Suffice to say, I now fully perceive why cupboard space and sq. footage are such large offers for households. Up to date provided us respiration room and a little bit of a buffer, and that was very a lot welcome (and needed).
Child Care Facilities – Everybody says this, but it surely actually can’t be overstated: Disney’s Child Care Facilities are unbelievable. We already knew this from Disneyland, however typically issues are, ahem, “completely different” at Walt Disney World. Very blissful to report that’s not the case with the Child Care Facilities. They’re unbelievable coast-to-coast.
For anybody who craves the exclusivity of the DVC or Membership 33 lounges however can’t abdomen the associated fee, Child Care Facilities are a terrific various. Certain, the underlying membership into the dad and mom’ membership will in all probability value you extra over time than Disney Trip Membership or Membership 33…but it surely’s a unbelievable and fulfilling expertise.
I don’t have the rest to say concerning the Child Care Facilities that hasn’t already been stated 1000’s of instances, which might be for the most effective. This has already gotten actually lengthy and I’m solely midway completed. So I suppose it’s a very good stopping level; we’ll decide up with the conclusion of ‘What Went Proper on Child Bricker’s First Walt Disney World Trip’ subsequent week. Together with what went improper–so keep tuned!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. 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 novel 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 most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot it’s good to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on what went proper throughout Child Bricker’s first journey to Walt Disney World? Anything you’re enthusiastic about studying about with regard to Megatron, infants within the parks, and so forth? Anecdotes of your personal about first visits to the Disney parks? Another questions? Listening to your suggestions is all the time appreciated, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
