Today was fun. How could it not be? Our first full day in Disney was spent in Epcot. First we woke up and went to breakfast in our hotel, at Chef Mickey's. This was very nice, food was just fine, location was a plus, and the characters were the primo ones - Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Minnie. But these were "express" characters. They came and went to each table in a matter of seconds. Which was fine, but only Joel Andrew got a real piece of it all. No photos for the grandparents! Good thing we have a few more breakfasts ahead.Joel Andrew had the most priceless reaction, which I hope we got on video tape. He was psyched. First of all, he loves the monorail and that it comes in and out of where you are eating practically, so he was pointing at that - and then, out of the corner of his eye he sees Goofy - oh boy! Lots of excitement there. He gave each character a kiss - which for him right now means open mouth against your cheek. Adorable, especially when kissing a character. But, all of this excitement proved to be too much for the little guy, and meltdowns occurred. We had a meltdown the night before at our Japan dinner too (or five or six), so I started off the day worried that we had made a mistake with this vacation. Too early...
But that proved not to be the case. I think this is just a lot of stimulation for the little guy, with all of his family here, so he is just learning how to handle it all. He had a stellar rest of the day at Epcot. We ventured out to the family friendly rides there, which include the Nemo ride, Turtle Talk with crush, taking some time at the aquarium area of The Seas, and Journey to the Imagination with Figment. He loved the rides, and by Figment was exhausted. Grammie and I wisked him away to the country part of Epcot for a nice stroll while the rest of the kids went on Soarin', and he fell fast asleep in the stroller.
This was the best part. The kiddo slept in the stroller, for almost two hours. They let us bring him - passed out an all in the stroller - into the restaurant at Mexico. PERFECT. Very dark room, with soothing noises all around you. He slept like a baby while we enjoyed a very delicious lunch, and toasted his Siesta! I love the inside-Mexico restaurant the best still, San Angel Inn. (they have like four San Angel restaurants, so make sure it is the Inn). He woke up during dessert, and we went on the Mexican boat ride with Donald. Good times.
We spent the rest of the day walking around the houses and killing time before dinner at the Biergarten in Germany. Killing time = the men getting a beer at each country. See below for Top Ten Things for a Toddler to do in Epcot. The Disney Mom's Panel (a great resource where you can ask real Mom's questions about Disney and travel - don't worry, I will be applying), says that Epcot is the least-Toddler friendly place. But, Joel Andrew had a ball. Sure he screamed louder than anything in the Parisien wine store, but hey. I was screaming inside too since I couldn't have the wine either.... It was a great day, with a great little kiddo. Topped with the best dining experience with an awake kid yet - the Biergarten. He loved the music and the show, and ate about 15 of the sausages. It was so loud in there, that even if he threw a tantrum you wouldn't have heard it sitting next to him. Good thing we didn't eat lunch there! Tomorrow, off to "the best park for Toddlers," the Magic Kingdom! (and tomorrow night we find out the sex of #2, but no surprise for me, I am sure it is a boy, it has to be, carbon copy pregnancies here).
Top Ten Things for a Toddler to do in Epcot (country side)
But that proved not to be the case. I think this is just a lot of stimulation for the little guy, with all of his family here, so he is just learning how to handle it all. He had a stellar rest of the day at Epcot. We ventured out to the family friendly rides there, which include the Nemo ride, Turtle Talk with crush, taking some time at the aquarium area of The Seas, and Journey to the Imagination with Figment. He loved the rides, and by Figment was exhausted. Grammie and I wisked him away to the country part of Epcot for a nice stroll while the rest of the kids went on Soarin', and he fell fast asleep in the stroller.
This was the best part. The kiddo slept in the stroller, for almost two hours. They let us bring him - passed out an all in the stroller - into the restaurant at Mexico. PERFECT. Very dark room, with soothing noises all around you. He slept like a baby while we enjoyed a very delicious lunch, and toasted his Siesta! I love the inside-Mexico restaurant the best still, San Angel Inn. (they have like four San Angel restaurants, so make sure it is the Inn). He woke up during dessert, and we went on the Mexican boat ride with Donald. Good times. 
We spent the rest of the day walking around the houses and killing time before dinner at the Biergarten in Germany. Killing time = the men getting a beer at each country. See below for Top Ten Things for a Toddler to do in Epcot. The Disney Mom's Panel (a great resource where you can ask real Mom's questions about Disney and travel - don't worry, I will be applying), says that Epcot is the least-Toddler friendly place. But, Joel Andrew had a ball. Sure he screamed louder than anything in the Parisien wine store, but hey. I was screaming inside too since I couldn't have the wine either.... It was a great day, with a great little kiddo. Topped with the best dining experience with an awake kid yet - the Biergarten. He loved the music and the show, and ate about 15 of the sausages. It was so loud in there, that even if he threw a tantrum you wouldn't have heard it sitting next to him. Good thing we didn't eat lunch there! Tomorrow, off to "the best park for Toddlers," the Magic Kingdom! (and tomorrow night we find out the sex of #2, but no surprise for me, I am sure it is a boy, it has to be, carbon copy pregnancies here).
Top Ten Things for a Toddler to do in Epcot (country side)10. Take a siesta in the Mexican House while Mom and Dad enjoy lunch.
9. Watch the ducks in the big lake from Mexico.
8. Watching the Japanese drum performance.
7. The waterfall, and small bridge area in China.
6. Watch the ducks in a small area in China.
5. The Biergarten band singing the Chicken Dance.
4. The bigger waterfall, with popcorn snack, at Canada.
3. The trains outside of Norway.
2. Watch the Ducks from the fountain in Germany.
1. Stand up with Pa, in front of a crowd of tourists, and perform in the United Kingdom street show.
As you can tell, with all the expense and all the excitement of Disney, Ducks made it to primetime. But we all enjoyed the day and certainly made many memories for a long time! Here's hoping for a happy guy tomorrow!
A couple of questions for you. Did you get the meal plan? Did you make a lot of lunch/dinner reservations or is it not that crowded this time of year? Did Joel Andrew stay in his stroller OK or did he insist on walking around (that is our big challenge). Did you bring your own stroller or rent one? We're hoping for year after next (May 2012) and Cameron will be 3.
ReplyDeleteoh yeah!
ReplyDeleteWe are on the meal plan, the Deluxe. We like to sit and eat, so that has been perfect. The Deluxe gives you an app, entree and dessert everywhere you go. Though, I have to admit next time I might want to tone it down a bit and go for the basic plan. Kiddo is having a hard time sitting through all the meals, though Biergarten was the best. I made all the reservations the day we bought the trip, in October. And, even then we had to compromise on some seatings. That is for the popular places, some places you can probably still get in today - but for character breakfasts and such you def want to have it all done in advance, no matter what time of year you go.
He is good in his stroller about 50% of the time. We brought our own in hopes he would be comfortable for napping, and we would have the storage for coats and bags and things. It has also worked because you can stroll them right onto the monorail, whereas if you rented you would have to leave it in the park you just left and carry her home. He likes to walk around for sure, but he also does well on shoulders. We (gasp!) got him one of those backpack leashes, I am totally against it but Joel Husband thinks it is practical. Luckily we haven't had to use it at all yet (knock on wood) - my mom would have a fit! I hope to add more tips in... 3 sounds like the perfect age, I think we will be back again when he is that age and #2 is his age now... So, this is good practice for that!