The Many Adventures of...A Family With a New Baby! Jan - Dec 2016! New 11/7!

[Tygerlilly]

Early on 12/8 (like 3AM) i got up, showered (I did this bc we were heading straight to a park), and then we headed off to the airport. Andrew was taking us so he helped out getting Maya ready while I got Aria and the bags in the car. He dropped us off at the curb side check in where they were able to print Maya's boarding pass and peanut-allergy ticket, which was nice (I wasn't sure if they could do the lap-baby pass there?). Then we headed straight through security. At this time, I realized I had ZERO shoes for Maya. I had told Andrew the night before i needed to grab some shoes for her from her room bc somehow I forgot to pack them - but he got her ready, and I forgot! UGH! She was still in PJ's, and he hadnt' put any shoes on her (even for the airport) so she literally was shoeless. I also had left my sunglasses in the car. Not doing great this morning!!

When I needed to do a diaper change I took the opportunity to change the girls into clothes (minus shoes lol). There was definitely no rest for me - Maya was wide awake the entire flight, snacking non stop and enjoying her empty extra seat. I noted the mother behind me was flying with a tween girl, a 4yo boy, and 1 yo girl, and the tween was being really rude to her and totally not helping out. I Felt bad for her! Maya and the other 1 year old were playing peek a boo over the seat though so that was cute.

It was a good thing I didn't dawdle, because the car was left running out front at Shades. Oops!

I feel like I'm going to forget all kinds of essential things for our October trip. Shoes for at least one of us will probably be it. At least we're driving so we can stop anywhere in between here and there to get what we need.

I'm so impressed by all of you who travel alone with kids. I'm sure in a couple years when I want to take the girls for a weekend trip I'll do fine, but I couldn't imagine doing it alone now. And definitely not while pregnant (although I was miserable from 20 weeks on with Hailey).

The girls (and outfits) are adorable as always. I need to start getting their outfits picked out and packed, but I'm having a hard time deciding what size to get the baby.

Also, I may have left the car running in the garage last week...

 

[Stasieki]

Happy you started your Dec trip report!!! I'm about to make our Dec trip dining reservations. The excitement is setting in.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Happy you started this report - which I guess was technically a Mother- daughter-daughter-daughter trip

Oh gosh - no shoes! Those were cute shoes on the shop disney app, bummer about them not being at DHS

Good to know that will a little squishing Maya would qualify as a carryon

Wow, to be at your room at 10:45 is great! Ah, that was good you were splitting the TIW with Dugette and were able to get her the card for her meal

Interested in your upcoming meet - based on the clues I am assuming Moana

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Disney at Christmas is just the best. Just seeing all the decorations put a smile on my face. I hope you had great weather and I look forward to reading all about it.

 

[amazingact21]

Excited to hear about this December trip. I have to say, you're amazing for tackling Disney solo with two young kids and being 20 weeks pregnant. Braving the flights and installing the car seats would have been enough to exhaust me, I couldn't imagine venturing into a park immediately after arrival. You are a true Disney vet!

Oh, and I completely understand your shoe crisis. The morning we went to pick my mom up from the airport last summer, we forgot to put shoes on Landon since we had to leave the house at 4 in the morning. When we picked her up none of the stores in Germany opened for another 3 hours, so we actually had to take him to the zoo in just his socks. (Alex wore him in our toddler carrier for most of it, but still.) I made a point to write on my dry erase board on the kitchen fridge "DON'T FORGET SHOES!" for our trip back to the states.

 

[mousehappync]

The Tea Cups were right there, and they had about a 15 minute wait so not too bad although longer than i like to wait for this. It's so pretty at DL!

That is a beautiful ride! It's so fanciful there-- I guess it's hotter, but it sure is pretty!

Afterwards, Aria chose to check out Toontown once again, so that's what we did (also conveniently located right next to the Magical Map show).

You are making me sad we never made it to Toontown

We finished the show about 1:15. It was super cute and really well done, although nothing like a true stage show that the hunchback of notre dame was. Aria really enjoyed the story and seeing a ton of different characters used in the show.

I honestly thought they had cancelled this, and didn't make any plans to see it. Wish I had known!

Anyway we made great time and by about 3PM we were at our new home for the next three nights - Hilton San Diego Mission Park. I hopped out of the car since both girls were still asleep, checked us in and found our room.

Your hotel looks so pretty! Ours was huge, too, but not as nice. And not nearly as well-priced!

After unpacking a bit, we got ready to head to the pool - our walk to the pool took us past the beach!

I was having a missing San Diego moment this week-- this doesn't help! I loved the wild beaches there.

We found out the pool bar was closed at 5?!?!?! Which left the really nice restaurant or the bar next to said restaurant as food choices - so we sat outside after ordering some dinner to wait for it.

What?! That's nuts!

I was able to get a fun drink though and isn't this typical pool-food?!!? A little container of house made goat cheese with crostini?? OMG this was SOOOOO delicious. I love goat cheese, but this took it to another level. It's served with a kalamata olive baguette and just so so good.

Yuuuummmmm. I loooooove Mediterranean favors. This looks amazing!

But, when i got back from my meetings we had tentative plans to rent a surrey bike and check out the boardwalk. The girls however hadn't had dinner, so if we rented a surrey they would wait until after 6PM for that - well Maya's internal clock doesn't allow her to skip dinner at 5PM on the dot, she was HANGRY, and I was upset at the sitation. They also hadn't had baths despite the full day at the beach/park/pool. I was hungry too...and my mom was mad that I didn't want to do the surrey and deal with a hungry Maya. Sooo instead I went to the nice restaurant at the hotel. My mom didn't want to go ($$$) so I ended up having a dinner with the girls by myself.

That time of day is always hard-- especially with that big time change! So glad you found a solution that made everyone happy. I was SHOCKED by the cost of food at our hotel there-- but that looks worthy of a splurge!

They had a Swordfish special served over risotto with an olive tapenade. OMG this was to die for too.

Again. Yum. Wow.

But, I got back by about 4PM and had been keeping my mom updated so that they'd be ready to check out Old Town San Diego as soon as I got back (it wasn't open too late). Thankfully today she had them all ready to go! When we got there

We missed that there were cool things to do there-- I thought it was just a market-place type thing? That looks neat-- and the food looks good!! We ended up literally just driving through, then went on to Balboa Park. Some thing to do on a return trip, I guess!

Glad your flight home went well-- I applaud you for flying with a baby. Aria seems like SUCH an amazing traveler, which I guess is really good because your hands are full with Maya!

I saw our dates don't overlap-- bummer! That could have been fun! We are definitely going last week of Oct-Nov 4, BUT I am buying myself an AP and plan to upgrade at least the boys when we arrive, so we will be back-- maybe another trip! Off to read about your next adventure!

 

[Imagineer5]

I feel like I'm going to forget all kinds of essential things for our October trip. Shoes for at least one of us will probably be it. At least we're driving so we can stop anywhere in between here and there to get what we need.

I'm so impressed by all of you who travel alone with kids. I'm sure in a couple years when I want to take the girls for a weekend trip I'll do fine, but I couldn't imagine doing it alone now. And definitely not while pregnant (although I was miserable from 20 weeks on with Hailey).

The girls (and outfits) are adorable as always. I need to start getting their outfits picked out and packed, but I'm having a hard time deciding what size to get the baby.

Also, I may have left the car running in the garage last week...

I definitely start making a list to pack and add to it until the day we leave. So many random things we have to include and remember to bring, even moreso in the June heat we'll have (vs last October) and with a little baby.

I wasn't miserable thankfully (although Asian food was highly unappetizing).

Happy you started your Dec trip report!!! I'm about to make our Dec trip dining reservations. The excitement is setting in.

YAY! Where are you eating at? I'll be commenting on: Minnie's Holiday Dine, Akershus, frontera cocina, crystal place, tiana's riverboat party, california grill, be our guest breakfast, Tiffins, Ohana BF and Garden Grill BF.

Happy you started this report - which I guess was technically a Mother- daughter-daughter-daughter trip

Oh gosh - no shoes! Those were cute shoes on the shop disney app, bummer about them not being at DHS

Good to know that will a little squishing Maya would qualify as a carryon


Wow, to be at your room at 10:45 is great! Ah, that was good you were splitting the TIW with Dugette and were able to get her the card for her meal

Interested in your upcoming meet - based on the clues I am assuming Moana

You are very right! And I did know it was another girl at the time of the trip too

Disney at Christmas is just the best. Just seeing all the decorations put a smile on my face. I hope you had great weather and I look forward to reading all about it.

It's SO much fun. I really want to take a mid-november trip when all the holiday decorations are up, as sometimes I feel like a Disney trip in December makes CHristmas come SOOO fast, but I do still really love it.

Excited to hear about this December trip. I have to say, you're amazing for tackling Disney solo with two young kids and being 20 weeks pregnant. Braving the flights and installing the car seats would have been enough to exhaust me, I couldn't imagine venturing into a park immediately after arrival. You are a true Disney vet!

Oh, and I completely understand your shoe crisis. The morning we went to pick my mom up from the airport last summer, we forgot to put shoes on Landon since we had to leave the house at 4 in the morning. When we picked her up none of the stores in Germany opened for another 3 hours, so we actually had to take him to the zoo in just his socks. (Alex wore him in our toddler carrier for most of it, but still.) I made a point to write on my dry erase board on the kitchen fridge "DON'T FORGET SHOES!" for our trip back to the states.

It's one of those things you are beyond exhaustion but still plow on lol! Those first days are tough - i am already dreading it with ANdrew bc despite having his help, I am certain we'll fight over some stupid things just bc we'll both be very tired.

Haha that's funny about the shoes at the zoo! At least you had socks I guess.

That is a beautiful ride! It's so fanciful there-- I guess it's hotter, but it sure is pretty!


You are making me sad we never made it to Toontown

I honestly thought they had cancelled this, and didn't make any plans to see it. Wish I had known!


Your hotel looks so pretty! Ours was huge, too, but not as nice. And not nearly as well-priced!


I was having a missing San Diego moment this week-- this doesn't help! I loved the wild beaches there.


What?! That's nuts!


Yuuuummmmm. I loooooove Mediterranean favors. This looks amazing!


That time of day is always hard-- especially with that big time change! So glad you found a solution that made everyone happy. I was SHOCKED by the cost of food at our hotel there-- but that looks worthy of a splurge!



Again. Yum. Wow.



We missed that there were cool things to do there-- I thought it was just a market-place type thing? That looks neat-- and the food looks good!! We ended up literally just driving through, then went on to Balboa Park. Some thing to do on a return trip, I guess!

Glad your flight home went well-- I applaud you for flying with a baby. Aria seems like SUCH an amazing traveler, which I guess is really good because your hands are full with Maya!

I saw our dates don't overlap-- bummer! That could have been fun! We are definitely going last week of Oct-Nov 4, BUT I am buying myself an AP and plan to upgrade at least the boys when we arrive, so we will be back-- maybe another trip! Off to read about your next adventure!

THe food was impressive, even for the high price and being at a hotel. I enjoyed it! I guess I've gotten used to seeing "Disney prices" that the cost most places doesn't phase me. PLus i love to eat. I wish we had done Balboa Park - but my mom didn't have a car, and I didn't have enough time - originally they talked about a lunchtime end on the 2nd day but we went later of course.

I haven't figured out what to do about AP's for 2018. This year we have June & Oct and Andrew is getting an AP in June because of the October trip - but of course that makes me want to have another trip on the horizon. But I also wanted to do that California trip next April which adding it all up was getting pretty pricey for what I wanted to do lol. It would be a lot cheaper to do Disney haha. I have also been toying with wanting a trip with Maya, although I think I need to wait until Emma is not nursing. Anyway...

 

[Imagineer5]

So TheMaxRebo guessed it - we came across One Man's Dream and noticed a sign out front for a Moana Meet. First of all, I am so sad this is now gone! Rumor is she's going to MK, but not there yet Anyway, we hadn't yet seen the movie - but Aria wanted to meet her anyway and we had some time to kill before our TSMM FP opened. So we hopped in line. They handed out these booklets which kept her occupied.

They did a really nice job with this pop up meet and greet - the theming was really spot on (esp once we'd seen the movie, which we have seen now over 50 times I'm sure), and soon it was our turn.

You can also see I was having issues with shoes with Aria, hers were totally unmatching :-D

We left with Aria really excited to see the movie!

Afterwards we headed to TSMM. Maya was still napping (had been about 1 hour at this point) but we needed to use our FP so I woke her up to ride.

I won't go into details but we had another FP with Dugette and family coming up, so after that ride, we hung out by the stroller grabbing some snacks while we waited. Soon it was time to go in with them!

Aria was so excited to have Izzy there to play with

After that ride can you guess what we did?! We went BACK IN because Dugette had received extra FP's to use from their Jedi training earlier! Awesome!

Okay enough TSMM. The girls were having a blast though and Maya was really enjoying it at this point! Aria however said her arm was tired and she didn't want to shoot lol.

Now it was time for us all to head over to Star Tours. I think we had a few minutes to spare, so the girls played in the shop making droids waiting for the FP to open.

And then Aria went off with them to ride while I hung out with Maya. I don't think I mentioned this - at the time of the trip she had just had her 1st birthday. Anyway we found a spot by the exit of the ride for her to play in and she had a blast.

Then we headed over to the Disney Junior show, we had a FP but didn't need it at all. This was probably a highlight of the day for me - Aria was so excited and Maya was dancing and clapping along. It was adorable!

Izzy had fun too - Aria has already mentioned seeing this again in June multiple times, so I guess she hasn't quite outgrown Disney Junior

We had ToT FP for Aria to ride with Dugette and family, but Dugette was unable to figure out where Dug was? IDK. Aria was also reallyyyyy uninterested in riding ToT, so instead we hopped in line for Jake. We had a bit of a character palooza the next 45 minutes or so - bare with me!

Maya however was totally unsure about this

Then we went over to see Sofia

Maya says why are you touching me!

Doc McStuffins was up next of course <3

I also had put Maya down for a stroller nap as she seemed really tired. I think she was happy to skip these meets!

Meanwhile Dugette & Izzy were riding ToT

I took Aria to the bathroom to change for our early dinner and then Dugette texted that they were in line to meet Pluto, so we joined them doing that!

He was being really silly, ruffling their hair and such

Izzy also said she hated ToT but was going to tell Aria it was fun so she wouldn't be scared LOL.

Coming up, we meet up with Dug, and then have a fun dinner!

 

[mousehappync]

Okay so 15 (!!!) days until our next Disney world vacation!! I can't believe it! I have been showing Maya videos of the rides and character meets so she'll be okay possibly this time (as you'll see, she hated the characters in December). Aria is so excited. We started our magic band countdown chain at around day 36, so it's a lot shorter now and Aria loves to count it each morning. The girl's clothes and car seat bags are all packed so I have a short list of things left to pack besides my own clothes, and I also treated myself to a little shopping last week and bought some new outfits, so I'm excited for some HOT weather too!

. Wow! That's so soon! You definitely never have time to get bored-- always another as entire! And how nice to be already packed and ready to go. Glad you were able to pamper yourself a little, too-- I love getting new outfits for vacation!

and then we were able to pre-board, and I got us the 2nd row. It wasn't a full flight so we were able to have the whole row which was amazing!

This. Is. Awesome. We've had that happen a few times recently, and it's SO nice!

When I needed to do a diaper change I took the opportunity to change the girls into clothes (minus shoes lol). There was definitely no rest for me - Maya was wide awake the entire flight, snacking non stop and enjoying her empty extra seat. I noted the mother behind me was flying with a tween girl, a 4yo boy, and 1 yo girl, and the

As the parent of a tween.... They are not always much fun. I try to imagine G being helpful with a baby...and I cannot.

! For the first time, I hired a porter to help me with the bags. WHY hadn't I done this before? IDK usual tip, but I thought i tipped okay

I always wondered how you managed everything alone--with a stroller! Glad you figured out this solution!

I stopped at Target and bought two pairs of shoes for Maya plus a case of water, and got the shades at 10:45. I wanted to quickly check in - and awesome, our room was ready!

Your rental car really pays off here!

I didn't do any unpacking though because we had places to be! I couldn't find my car keys however, so packed up the girls to go see if I left them in the car. It was a good thing I didn't dawdle, because the car was left running out front at Shades. Oops!

Omg! I guess a 3 am wakeup call and flying alone with two little on will Dothan to you!

We drove over to Hollywood Studios, was able to park for free with Aria's AP, then stopped at guest services and upgraded my ticket to an AP and bought a Tables in Wonderland card. We had arrived just when I thought we would though, as Dugette was just about to be seated for lunch so I was able to hand off the TIW card to see if she can possibly use it (they let her!) - we split the cost of the card, so I wanted her to get as much use as possible.

This is smart! I'm not sure if we will get TIW or rely on AP discounts only-- food is one area where I'm trying to save, so not any really expensive places on our list. I guess we'd break even but I'd rather pay half as much! I'm sort of scandalized by how much prices are going up----I haven't bought AP's since 2013, and they will be nearly $250 more per person than then!!!

 

[amazingact21]

I hope they add a new location for Moana soon; I think there's a lot of kids out there who'd love to meet her. (My son included.) Pretty cool that they gave you guys an activity booklet while you waited.

Disney Jr is always a hit. I'm glad to hear Aria wants to do it again next month, because I'm sure Maya is at that perfect age where she'll really love it.

Lots of character meets. Nice! At least it looks like Maya was all right with looking at the characters from afar. No screaming or crying...that's always good.

I love that Izzy was going to fib to Aria to get her to ride ToT. I also think it's so cool that the girls get to see each other and visit at WDW and have become friends because of the boards.

 

[Dugette]

I have been showing Maya videos of the rides and character meets so she'll be okay possibly this time (as you'll see, she hated the characters in December).

I hope she'll enjoy them this time. I know that Izzy had her character-fear stage on that June 2014 trip we went on, but by Labor Day she LOVED the characters. They can change quick - I hope Maya follows suit.

but I'm sure she'll tell her perspective when she's able to!

Right after I finish Hawaii and start (and finish) Disneyland. Unless I get impatient and start doing multiple reports at once again.

When I needed to do a diaper change I took the opportunity to change the girls into clothes (minus shoes lol).

I am trying to picture this...did you have all three of you in a tiny airline restroom?

It was a good thing I didn't dawdle, because the car was left running out front at Shades. Oops!

So glad it didn't drive off.

We had arrived just when I thought we would though, as Dugette was just about to be seated for lunch so I was able to hand off the TIW card to see if she can possibly use it (they let her!) - we split the cost of the card, so I wanted her to get as much use as possible.

Thanks for bringing that to us! I think we all got (are still getting) our money's worth.

Aria however said her arm was tired and she didn't want to shoot lol.

Ha, can't blame her - 3 rides in a row really works those arm muscles.

We had ToT FP for Aria to ride with Dugette and family, but Dugette was unable to figure out where Dug was? IDK.

I'm sure he wandered off somewhere, maybe a restroom or who knows what...he did a lot of that. At one point, I had to lecture him on informing me BEFORE he wandered off, rather than making me search for him or sending a text to me after the fact.

Meanwhile Dugette & Izzy were riding ToT

You can see that I had to talk Izzy through the whole ride (since she'd freaked out in line and I got her on the ride anyway). By the way, she's now decided that ToT is something she wants to do again. After many declarations about never riding it ever again in her life. It was the pre-show movie that scared her and she actually liked the ride (she claims). She has now come up with the revolutionary idea of closing her eyes during the pre-show. I guess we'll see what October holds...

Izzy also said she hated ToT but was going to tell Aria it was fun so she wouldn't be scared LOL.

That just cracked me up! She was a mess after ToT (or just the horrifying pre-show, I guess), but she didn't want that to deter Aria.

 

[schmass]

Great start to the new TR!

You met so many characters that first day! Including Moana!! My kids would go crazy to meet her. We LOVE that movie!

So many rides on Toy Story Mania - that is the best!

I'm glad the girls loved the Disney Jr. show. I took Rory and Lola on our last trip and they were both fighting me about going in, as they had other agendas, but once it started, they were MESMERIZED. It was a highlight for me, too.

 

[princessbride6205]

Your trips are all so fun! Just finished reading through everything!

 

[Imagineer5]

. Wow! That's so soon! You definitely never have time to get bored-- always another as entire! And how nice to be already packed and ready to go. Glad you were able to pamper yourself a little, too-- I love getting new outfits for vacation!


This. Is. Awesome. We've had that happen a few times recently, and it's SO nice!


As the parent of a tween.... They are not always much fun. I try to imagine G being helpful with a baby...and I cannot.



I always wondered how you managed everything alone--with a stroller! Glad you figured out this solution!


Your rental car really pays off here!

Omg! I guess a 3 am wakeup call and flying alone with two little on will Dothan to you!



This is smart! I'm not sure if we will get TIW or rely on AP discounts only-- food is one area where I'm trying to save, so not any really expensive places on our list. I guess we'd break even but I'd rather pay half as much! I'm sort of scandalized by how much prices are going up----I haven't bought AP's since 2013, and they will be nearly $250 more per person than then!!!

No, definitely not bored!! Hahaha. I need to be a better SAHM (temporarily of course) though, I am not really sure what to do schedule wise all day long! I like taking the girsl to the zoo but it's been chilly and rainy here. The things Aria wants to do, Maya just makes it a big mess (thinking of play doh, sand, etc). Even working on her kindergarten workbook yesterday, Aria had to bat away Maya who was trying to draw on it with a crayon (I was feeding emma).

THe porter service was so awesome and worth it. So nice they were there waiting too, instead of me trying to figure it out on my own (I had a plan for how to daisy chain the suitcase & car seat bags but still).

I hope they add a new location for Moana soon; I think there's a lot of kids out there who'd love to meet her. (My son included.) Pretty cool that they gave you guys an activity booklet while you waited.

Disney Jr is always a hit. I'm glad to hear Aria wants to do it again next month, because I'm sure Maya is at that perfect age where she'll really love it.

Lots of character meets. Nice! At least it looks like Maya was all right with looking at the characters from afar. No screaming or crying...that's always good.

I love that Izzy was going to fib to Aria to get her to ride ToT. I also think it's so cool that the girls get to see each other and visit at WDW and have become friends because of the boards.

I know - Aria is so sad she won't be meeting however it saves me yet another costume I have to bring. The girls each have like 4 outfits a day, I don't need extra costumes on top of that (we did pack Elena and Belle tho. Oh and Tiana...).

Yeah the character meals were the worst with Maya, I'll have to see if I got any "good" photos of her reaction or if i was comforting her, but those didn't go well. BUT we had Aria & Izzy to focus on so it isn't like it ruined the meal or anything (lol poor Maya).

It's so so awesome Aria has Izzy as a disney friend! We'll see each other in October too, so it is fun they are able to continue their friendship.

I hope she'll enjoy them this time. I know that Izzy had her character-fear stage on that June 2014 trip we went on, but by Labor Day she LOVED the characters. They can change quick - I hope Maya follows suit.


Right after I finish Hawaii and start (and finish) Disneyland. Unless I get impatient and start doing multiple reports at once again.


I am trying to picture this...did you have all three of you in a tiny airline restroom?


So glad it didn't drive off.


Thanks for bringing that to us! I think we all got (are still getting) our money's worth.


Ha, can't blame her - 3 rides in a row really works those arm muscles.


I'm sure he wandered off somewhere, maybe a restroom or who knows what...he did a lot of that. At one point, I had to lecture him on informing me BEFORE he wandered off, rather than making me search for him or sending a text to me after the fact.


You can see that I had to talk Izzy through the whole ride (since she'd freaked out in line and I got her on the ride anyway). By the way, she's now decided that ToT is something she wants to do again. After many declarations about never riding it ever again in her life. It was the pre-show movie that scared her and she actually liked the ride (she claims). She has now come up with the revolutionary idea of closing her eyes during the pre-show. I guess we'll see what October holds...


That just cracked me up! She was a mess after ToT (or just the horrifying pre-show, I guess), but she didn't want that to deter Aria.

Yep, all three of us stuffed into a plane bathroom lol! Luckily they're small, and can stand on the toilet lid hahaha.

That is great Izzy says she wants to try it out again!!! It's the one ride Aria has adamantly said she won't ride, and I dont' want to push it because my rule sort of backfires here - she has to try it once but doesn't have to go again- which has kept her from any tears when trying all the new rides (which she's mostly loved!). So i can't really make her ride it again haha!

Great start to the new TR!

You met so many characters that first day! Including Moana!! My kids would go crazy to meet her. We LOVE that movie!

So many rides on Toy Story Mania - that is the best!

I'm glad the girls loved the Disney Jr. show. I took Rory and Lola on our last trip and they were both fighting me about going in, as they had other agendas, but once it started, they were MESMERIZED. It was a highlight for me, too.

Maybe Moana will be meeting again by your next trip? They were upset about going to the disney jr show??? Andrew hates it (dones't like sitting on the floor) so I might leave him outside with Emma haha, but the girls seem to get excited just looking at the building). Glad they loved it though!!

Your trips are all so fun! Just finished reading through everything!

Oh wow, thanks for reading through!!

 

[schmass]

Maybe Moana will be meeting again by your next trip? They were upset about going to the disney jr show??? Andrew hates it (dones't like sitting on the floor) so I might leave him outside with Emma haha, but the girls seem to get excited just looking at the building). Glad they loved it though!!

Pluto had just walked by, so Lola kept saying she wanted to meet him (even though she was scared of the characters up close!) and Rory wanted to do something else, I can't even remember what. At the beginning of the trip he was a bit whiny and opinionated about what he wanted to do, but by the end I think he realized everything in Disney was fun, and learned to go with the flow a bit more.

 

[Imagineer5]

It's getting so real! 8 days to our next trip! Eek. Kind of weird to write about our December trip when I'm non stop thinking and planning for this next one, but nice to look back on the memories too of course! So after that cute Pluto meet, we had a little time until our dinner, so Dugette found Dug had been spending his time in the midst of the Star Wars stuff, so we headed inside via the shop to meet up with him. As soon as we did we also saw Jawa's walking around (my first time experiencing that). I knew they traded for things and didn't have anything planned out.

**Random but I forgot to include this photo in the last update - Maya and I took this photo while everyone else went in to ride Star Tours

They seemed a bit bored though and had a ball playing with the minnie and mickey in the stroller. Aria thought that was hilarious!

Maya slept through it all

The only thing I could think of to trade were all the paper dubloons Aria picked up at the Disney Junior show. Dugette said she had read they won't trade for those (because everyone else tries that too!) but alas, they did trade Aria for her beloved Dubloons!

He gave her a green necklace, which was a big hit

Then we headed over to dinner!

So where was dinner? Minnie's Holiday Dine of course!! I was so excited to try this out as we've only done the Disney junior breakfast there. Maya was still asleep and they thankfully allowed us to bring in the stroller and park it at the table while she slept.

On our way in, we bypassed meeting Goofy - there was a long line and we thought we'd wait until Maya woke up. We had a decent sized table not far though. We had a chance to order drinks but waited to get food because Daisy was almost there!

Aria loved her bow <3

I think we noted a break in the line for Goofy, so we decided to just head up for a quick pic with him

Then both Mickey and Donald tried to stop by, but the big cheese won out!

Aria was excited for him to see her mickey

Donald was dancing off to the side haha

Mid - meet, Maya was up and wanted out! I presented her with some fresh soy milk, and then she saw Mickey...

And ran back to me.

Donald was ready to come to our table! Phew!

I didn't get many photos as Maya was in my lap at this time.

Then we finally had a break and headed up to the buffet. I held Maya in my left arm, Aria wanted to hold her own plate, and I used the pre-printed allergy menu to pick things for Maya from the buffet. So basically I helped Aria pile up her plate, put safe things on one plate (held in left hand) and then things for me on a third plate in my right hand, so Maya couldn't reach and touch it. Poor Aria's first time dealing with her own plate resulted in tripping and it falling on the floor - but we had just started at the buffet so not much fell at least. We went back through and got her food again while a CM waved me off when I tried to help pick stuff up.

Anyway, Maya ended up LOVING the carved turkey, ham, and pretzel bread. You can also see Aria's plate in this picture -

My plate - which had salmon with capers, sweet potatoes and marshmallows, raviolis (lobster?), mashed potatoes, etc. I also ate a few tater tots and went up for seconds on everything! It was all really good. I did note that they had a buffalo chicken dish but it wasn't white meat so i passed.

Then Minnie came! Not sure what she is doing here lol!

Maya looks like she's saying - don't let her get any closer!

Aria played with the stuffies again

I asked our waiter to see about a dessert option for Maya, and they had an allergy friendly brownie she could have with berries so they brought that out, while I went up to get desserts for Aria & me.

She loved it!

Hahha

 

[Imagineer5]

Then we all headed out. I really loved the food ( I always think H&V is underrated!) and would totally do this again. Also loved the holiday costumes for the characters. We had big plans for the night though - the new Jingle Bell Jingle Bam! Luckily they made them start at 6:45 as any later and we'd be passed out!

Dugette brought along some light up toys for the girls, and I had some light up bracelets, so they had a lot of fun while we waited - we found a decent spot to wait right on the main drag in front of the Chinese theater.

Our view:

And after standing there about 20 minutes, this was the crowd behind us!

We were finding anything to do to pass the time haha

Soon the show started though!!

I held Maya for the first half and then put her in the stroller and stood with Aria. We loved it!! Well, loved everything but the nightmare before christmas stuff. Dont stone me, I hate that movie! It was really cool and different. I'm not too picky with shows, and love anything Christmas-themed, so it was a winner in my book! Then we headed out!

I think we separated from Dugette and family, we had to walk to the car anyway and they were heading to the bus, but we made it to the car by 7:12. I was able to stroll the stroller right into the back of the minivan (awesome!) and both girls were super tired but didn't fall asleep this night on the ride back to the room. Once in the room- the crib with a little blanket was waiting for us, yay! I spent about 20 minutes organizing clothes but couldnt' stay awake to shower or do anything more, so I set my alarm a little earlier than I had intended to have time in the morning to make the park bag ready and shower and all that. Maya took a bit to go down (she was screaming for a bit) and I had a little scare where she walked up behind me without me knowing and I fell over her - so I was worried about her of course and also about the baby, but she was kicking and Maya was okay so all was fine. THankfully after about 20 minutes, Maya settled down and we all fell asleep!

 

[Stasieki]

Great update! So scary about the fall though!

 

[schmass]

Your TR is really making me want to do a December WDW trip!

I'm with you, not a fan of Nightmare Before Christmas!

I'm glad that you were all okay after the fall!

 

[MomofaPrincessLover]

Sounds like a good time.