Megatron’s first journey to Walt Disney World was one in every of our greatest household holidays, but it surely 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 improper. It options images & ideas on forcing firsts, early mornings vs. late nights, journey 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 ‘mum or dad 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 case you’re in search of 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 may have experiences on these quickly.) Collectively, we made it to the parks earlier than 11 a.m. a grand whole of 1 time.
The dearth of rope drops was to be anticipated, as we have been protecting 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 will 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!) Undoubtedly way more of a manufacturing to get a child prepared, and it appeared that by the point we acquired all the pieces 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 into 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 “excellent” bedtime at house is 7 to eight p.m. (large time air quotes round excellent), which is 10-11 p.m. Jap. Consequently, we have been capable of do park closings with ease. We didn’t try Prolonged Night Hours, however assume we’ll subsequent journey. That will likely be throughout the hotter summer season months and we’ll need to spend extra day out after darkish in consequence.
Forcing Firsts – A couple of months in the past, we made ourselves a ‘Child Bricker Bucket Checklist’ that additionally features as a listing of supposed 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 recollections through the years, so we needed to be strategic in selecting points of interest and experiences that may most likely be round for many years to return.
That is all an incredible thought in principle, and we’ll type 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 supposed upon doing as a result of naps or different issues intervened. For instance, we deliberate on her sporting a particular outfit for her first journey on Journey into Creativeness, after which assembly Figment as we exited the journey. We additionally deliberate on her being awake for this.
We walked over to Journey into Creativeness three separate instances 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 infant provider is a great spot for a nap! I’m unsure that I essentially remorse this, as her first journey (awake!) on Journey into Creativeness was actually memorable.
Generally, 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 end result with Journey into Creativeness made that “price it,” however even that had one not-so-minor downside. Sooner or later, we’ll be extra keen to roll with the punches and simply let no matter occurs, occur.
Figment Fail – That one not-so-minor downside 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 known as an audible and went to EPCOT on our final partial day, however we’d’ve had ~45 minutes when all was mentioned and achieved and that might’ve been an enormous waste had she simply fallen asleep once more. Plus, we’ve realized {that a} 45 minute window can vanish very quickly in any respect with a child.
Truthfully, we don’t remorse this! Whereas it will’ve been effective to roll with the punches and do different issues whereas she was asleep, assembly Figment was not a kind of issues. It’s actually essential to us that she’s awake for her first encounter with Figment, as all the 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 move), so be it.
In need of scheduling a number of extra days at EPCOT, there was nothing we might’ve achieved in another way to keep away from this. It wasn’t a mistake–simply one thing that went improper. 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 difficult. 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 probably one thing is to get misplaced or get bunched up within the child provider and trigger discomfort.
Maybe worst of all, it’s an amazing problem for inept people making an attempt to alter infants and battling socks or pants as child does their finest 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 talk about this? There needs to be a full chapter devoted to socks shenanigans.)
I’m the skilled on numerous issues. You recognize that. I do know that. Uh, not numerous issues. A couple of issues. However trend is undoubtedly one in every of them. And in my thought of opinion, the top of child type is the onesie and the highest designer is the Home of Burt’s Bees. Shopping their lookbook for the Summer time 2024 season, and there are simply so many putting kinds. Dinosaur onesies, dragon onesies, shark onesies. That’s a design crew on the prime of their sport; true child couture.
Half-joking apart, actually all of my favourite outfits for Megatron are from Burt’s Bees and so they 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 at all times 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.
Trip Downtime – This was not distinctive to our journey. Many visitors as of late appear to assume they skilled atypically dangerous journey breakdowns throughout their Walt Disney World trip. In actuality, that’s as a result of attraction downtime is much greater 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 tackle this recognized situation. (Truthfully, I don’t know if it’s one thing they even can absolutely tackle. Keep in mind how we warned of the lack of institutional information with the furloughs and layoffs again in 2020? Effectively, look no additional than this for the “fruits” of that short-sighted resolution, 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 shifting items with a child. Whereas on a solo journey or when it’s simply the 2 of us, we are able to rapidly pivot when what we supposed to do is down. Probably not that large of a deal, besides throughout Early Entry. It was undoubtedly extra annoying this time, and I can see how this may 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 another park at Walt Disney World. Effectively, aside from EPCOT. Okay, and Magic Kingdom. However we have been undoubtedly extra excited for DAK than DHS…and third place out of 4 remains to be respectable!
This was completely 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 most likely ranks greater than I do together with her.
Megatron additionally actually likes seeing the infant geese and cats at Disneyland, so we assumed Animal Kingdom can be a house run together with her. That it will simply blow her thoughts with otters, unique pigs, flamingos, large cats, and so forth.
We assumed improper. As finest 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 at all times one thing nearer to her than the critters. So it didn’t matter {that a} actually cool creature that might’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 to seize it so she might lick it.
Since we don’t let her lick any international 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 due to 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. If in case you 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’d’ve assumed Disney’s Hollywood Studios can be the park to skip given how thrill-centric it’s turn into and what number of points of interest have top necessities. However DHS is extra doable and pleasant 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 many of the rides price doing have top necessities and/or are jerky. It’s additionally a sizzling park with a ton of space to traverse, and never many “low stakes” choices for sitting in air-conditioning, because the stage reveals are all pretty lengthy and concerned. Usually that’s a superb 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 visitors if issues go sideways, and leaving rapidly isn’t precisely simple.
Unsurprisingly, Magic Kingdom was far and away the very best park for a child. We went in absolutely anticipating that as a result of Magic Kingdom is arguably the very best park for all age teams with the most important and most well-rounded slate of points of interest–and in addition as a result of it’s our private favourite. We’re additionally large EPCOT followers, in fact, however we ended up being barely stunned at simply how good of a park that was for infants. All the indoor pavilions provide enormous 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 improper, however relatively, the explanation this checklist isn’t double or triple its size. Whereas I’m actually struggling to placed on pants (each my very own and the infant’s on her), Sarah is singlehandedly holding the entire operation collectively. Simply take a look at her within the photograph above…she’s not even flexing!
To not perpetuate the bumbling dad stereotype–I’d like to consider 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, consistently shifting toes? If Megatron is simply 50% sockless when left in my care, I take that as a win.
Sarah one way or the other 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 acquired ~3 hours of uninterrupted sleep, however undoubtedly not within the 12 months 2024. Perhaps someday final November? There was a short 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 infant 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.
In the long run, fortunately way more went proper than improper on our first journey to Walt Disney World. Not less than 90% of that was as a result of Sarah being an incredible mother, anticipating issues and desires 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 operating the present, we’re having hassle simply protecting toes absolutely socked. Though I assume perhaps these journey experiences would’ve been “simpler” if it have been me in cost, as a result of what went improper would’ve been a one phrase publish: all the pieces.
Even over the span of 4 posts and over 12,000 phrases, there’s nonetheless so much that we haven’t even coated. Issues that neither went proper nor improper, 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 an incredible 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 so much and reshaped our method. From issues so simple as packing extra effectively to studying how one can higher alter her sleep schedule. Already, the second journey goes higher than Child Bricker’s first!
As we proceed to get extra expertise underneath our belts, we’ll begin sharing recommendation relatively 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 and not using a stroller, character meal critiques, and a ton extra. For now, thanks for becoming a member of us on this journey–we hope you realized one thing from what went improper 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 lodges on our Walt Disney World Inns Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces it’s essential know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on what went improper or proper throughout Child Bricker’s first journey to Walt Disney World? Anything you’re keen on 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 at all times appreciated, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
