Family trip WDW (with a little Vero Beach) May 2024

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Tuesday May 7: Magic Kingdom Night

DD and I got food at the spyglass grill on the way to the bus for MK. I think DH ate again also. I think I ate mine there but DD took hers to go. They had a TV there that showed Disney music videos so whenever we went there we parked the kids still in their strollers and let them happily watch the videos.

I know we arrived at MK at 6pm because I finally took a photo!



I also know we had a bunch of LL stacked for the night thanks to standby skipper. Do I remember what they were or the order of them? No. Did I take any pictures? No. I will be better next time. I do have some ride photos so I know we all rode pirates.



And I do remember that we all tried to ride HM (my favorite) but DS freaked out in the stretching room. Like he made his I'm in pain cry. So DH asked a CM how to leave and they left. After that DS cried I remember during peter pan and ariel so after that we didn't even try. Like if Ariel is scary then there's no going up.

Before we took the vacation, we discussed how we would handle DS since we didn't know what his temperament would be plus he still needed to nap (DD just liked to nap but didn't in her regular life) and go to bed on time vs DD could be a night owl if she was having fun. DH had said he would basically be in charge of DS so me and DD could have all the fun.

So anyway at some point probably around 7pmish since that was DS's bedtime DH took the bus back to CBR.

DD and I continued riding rides. Here is us on buzz.



DD also expressed at some point during the night that she wanted to watch the fireworks in front of the castle. So I think like 45min before we got ourselves a good spot. But then about 10min before she had to use the bathroom. So we run to the bathroom and run back but we get a spot to the side and can't really see the projections on the castle. But to DD it didn't matter. She LOVED it and when Tinkerbell flew to the castle DD kind of did like an excited about and jumped and pointed and I bent down to hear her better and she said "magic is real! I wasn't sure but it is!" So adorable



And then we rode more rides until she fell asleep in the small world boat and that's when I decided to call it a night. She didn't even wake up when I carried her to her stroller.

I just walked around with her asleep in the stroller awhile soaking in the atmosphere. I was exhausted but so happy to be there. I finally walked us to the buses. It was a long wait. I think it was 3-4 buses before we could get on but I was happy for us to have a seat and not stand. We both slept on the bus. And then we stumbled home and slept again.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Wednesday May 8: Epcot

Another new park for us! Again up early to tell the standby skipper what LL we wanted and get ready for rope drop.

And this was the first time DH and DS took the skyliner. DH and DS really enjoyed the skyliner! It was DS's favorite ride and DH really enjoyed the kids staying in the stroller and getting our own gondola.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Wednesday May 8: Epcot Morning cont

It was flower and garden at Epcot. We got there before they started letting people walk to rides so we took some pictures.



The plan was to rope drop frozen and then get in line to meet Anna and elsa. At the time Elsa from frozen 2 was DD's favorite character. There was no LL option to meet her

So anyway we head over to Norway and take some pictures because the kids got excited about the flower topiaries.



DH decided he didn't want to take DS onto the frozen ride since all the rides had scared him the day before post HM stretching room. So they just wandered around while DD and I went on the ride.

I really liked the ride. I didn't know there was a drop so that was a cool surprise. DD liked it too but she said she wished it was a frozen 2 ride and not frozen.



Then DD requested a picture with this thing for some reason

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Wednesday May 8: Epcot Morning cont

Then we found DH and DS and the line to meet Anna and Elsa. It was very very long. I think the park had just opened for regular guests too and I don't think they were even going to start meeting for another 30 minutes. So I explained the waiting situation to DD to let her decide but I made sure to explain this was the only time in the trip we could meet them. So we did the wait now or we can't meet them this trip. She opted to skip the meet. (And never fussed about it later....so maybe she's already outgrowing the characters already )

So we decided to just leisurely walk to France for our remy LL. It was already hot. I kept asking everyone to slow down. How much the heat got to me was a big surprise all trip long. I grew up in LA and had no AC the last 3 years of living there and I have a job where I work 12-13 hours shifts on my feet but I couldn't handle Florida heat and walking. But now I know I guess lol and ill try to plan better.

On the walk over I told DH to take DD on Remy and I would hang out with DS. I felt bad he was missing all the rides and I wanted him to get some one on one time with DD. I had heard the car vehicle was similar to MMRR so I was a little bummed because I really liked that ride but there's always next time

So DS and I did some exploring in some shops and then we went to look for snacks. I wished the festival booths would be open in the morning.







We got an assortment of snacks from the Moroccan stand and I got a blood orange mimosa. Sooo good.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Wednesday May 8: Epcot Morning cont

DH and DS found us after they were done with Remy. I think they met Belle on the way though. DH didn't like all the screens but DD liked it

We had a brunch reservation at Akershus (I have to look up how to spell this word literally everytime..i can't learn) but had some time to kill. I wanted to check out the Japan gift shop. Little Tokyo was one of my favorite neighborhoods growing up and it's cool to look at japanese stuff with DH since he grew up there.

DD is a very slow shopper...as am I when I'm interested. So we just very slowly looked at everything. I wanted to buy the cute hello kitty stuff but I try not to buy stuff for myself if it's just going to sit somewhere. So I looked and admired but bought nothing.

Then we went back to the snack section and DS started pointing at chips. He has always loved chips so I picked one for him and DD (who is usually very picky) wanted to try something too so I was like yes!





We still had a little more time so we decided to check out Mexico. When we got there, we were told no strollers inside so DH said he'd rather stay outside and listen to the band with DS to let DS keep eating his chips. Plus DH told me he really liked the band and they talked and told stories between songs.

DD and I hung out on the little area themed to Coco where they had an interactive screen to play with and then we went on the three caballeros ride. We both really liked it. We have watched the movie and also watch the new show a lot. And it was nice to walk on and have a whole boat to ourselves.

Then we shopped around again. We bought a little bird that we keep in their playroom now.

Next is brunch with the princesses!

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Wednesday May 8: Akershus Brunch

Was glad to have a princess meal option that was 1 table credit. Again our main priority was having the kids see characters. This was an all you care to enjoy style brunch where you can ask for more. I was expecting to not like the food here like at all (I'm also a picky eater) But it wasn't bad. I also felt like it was a good value that we had an alcoholic drink with every meal because those are really expensive.







DS liked the grapes lol

This table was really small for our family. Like to have enough room I told them I don't need a plate and just ate off the platters. Which isn't a big deal but i was nervous the kids might knock over the drinks. And all the tables in here were really close together so I did feel overstimulated but ....princesses! So just because of that maybe we'd do this again but only if the kids ask

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Wednesday May 8: Akershus Brunch cont

DS showed no interest in the princesses except for Ariel! He really seemed to like her. DD was star struck by them all of course.





DD had a really good interaction with Rapunzel. Rapunzel asked her about something she was coloring and asked her about herself. It was really nice and DD felt special to tell Rapunzel about her interests.


I think DH actually took DS out early because he became fussy but DD and I stayed to meet everyone.

And here is a photo DD requested I take:



Then we got on the skyliner (yay!) to head back to CBR for pool time and naps. I don't know if we went to the pool first or napped first but I think we all stayed together. The afternoon break in the pool was always so nice with the heat.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Wednesday May 8: Garden Grill Dinner

After our rest, we headed back to Epcot via the skyliner. We were cutting it close to our reservation at garden grill. I mostly booked this one because it got really good reviews from Disney food blog. Plus of course it's a character meal. We had to ask a CM for help with directions but we got there on time and got a table on the inner circle.

Ok so for me, I loved the layout of this restaurant. I felt like we had a lot of privacy and not crowded. I didn't love the spinning because I get nauseous easily but DD loved it. Our waiter was awesome, picked up on us being introverts but also explained everything well since we were new and was always there when we wanted something. This was my favorite food and restaurant of the whole vacation. I especially loved the cornbread and butter. Just the whole experience. This is a repeat for me for sure.







The kids even ate a lot here. And the characters came around a lot.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Wednesday May 8: Epcot Night

DD really wanted to go on living with the land after seeing it at garden grill. I don't know what DS and DH did. And then DD and I went on soaring (with LL). I really liked it. And DD did too. I was a little nervous it would scare her but it didn't.

And then we all met at the nemo ride and I convinced DH to try this ride all together and I said I would hold DS. And we went and DS didn't cry he didn't look happy but definitely an improvement after I scarred him with the HM stretching room.

 

[FencerGirl]

Loving your report! Your kids are so cute.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Loving your report! Your kids are so cute.

Thank you

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Wednesday May 8: Epcot Night cont

After we all went on nemo we looked at the aquarium and the kids played in the finding Nemo shark playground until the next turtle talk with crush. This was so so cute. The kids were describing things to the turtle and then they talked about pets I think. DD was too shy to participate. And I'm pretty sure DS got freaked out at some point so DH took him outside.



This whole area is very cool. I liked the manatees a lot. Then we slowly walked back to the skyliner while the fireworks were going off. It was a very nice low-key feeling night. When we got back to CBR we went to bed.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Thursday May 9: Epcot Morning

Again same routine of waking up early but I didn't purchase genie today. But we were rope dropping Epcot. DD got a donut at the joffries near the skyliner station



She is really living her best life in this picture. She was in her bathing suit because we were going to see the Moana water attraction! I knew there was an option to not get wet but I also know my children. They were going to be soaked so we just packed a change of clothes.

At this point in the trip DH started talking basically how much better the vacation felt yesterday with skyliner transportation vs Monday with bus transportation. I think he felt it more since he was in charge of DS.





They both really liked this exhibit. A LOT. We spent a lot of time here. I liked rope dropping it and it being fairly empty.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Thursday May 9: Epcot Morning cont

Eventually we went over to the aquarium to change their clothes. And then we looked at the fish again : D

Then I suggested DD and DH go on a low wait ride because DD said she wanted to go in a ride. They went to figment and they said they had interactive things to do outside the ride so they did that.

DS and I walked around. I got a really good iced tea at one of the stands with a snack credit. Then we walked through the gift shops of world showcase and look who beckoned us over to meet him! He saw us through a window and waved us in! There was nobody else at all! DS wasn't so sure but Pooh really took his time and eventually DS walked over and the CM offered to take our picture with my phone

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Thursday May 9: Lunch, Rest and Pool

We all met up and took the skyliner to the Riviera to eat lunch at Primo Piatto. DD and I had been here for a snack on our last trip and I thought it was beautiful and the kids love pasta and it was on the way to CBR so yay!

I really wish I was better at taking pictures I will be better next time. So no pictures but this was my favorite QS of the trip. The food was good and the atmosphere was beautiful and relaxing. Then we went for a nap and a swim.

We had reservations for tusker house which I was very excited (and DH too because we like curry a lot) for that night but DH and I talked about not wanting to leave the pool and having to take the bus and decided to just cancel it....so we could stay in the pool longer. We also decided to spend the evening in Hollywood Studios since we could take the skyliner so I bought us all genie and told standby skipper what we wanted to start stacking.

Eventually we got out and ate dinner at the QS spyglass grill. I remember liking it but don't remember what I got and of course no pictures.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Thursday May 9: Hollywood Studios Night

I don't remember everything we did. This night was very unlike me because it was a spur of the moment decision vs mapped out weeks ahead of time.

I just remembered I didn't buy LL for the three of us this night. I bought it for DD and me since we knew we were gonna take turns taking her on rides. I know probably not the best use of money to buy genie only for 1 evening but it was worth it to not wait in lines and feel more carefree

I know DD and I went on TSM. I love that ride



I know DD and DH went on smugglers run. DD reported that she did NOT like Galaxy's edge because it had way too many boy colors but she did like driving the spaceship. (DH told me everyone looked upset when she was picked to pilot. Lol) I haven't been on any of the Galaxy's edge rides. Next trip I want to try rise ...but that's the only one that looks really cool to me.

Maybe someone went on aliens with DD?

I know I ate a brisket sandwich from Woody's lunchbox.

I know I went into a lot of stores with DS because I bought a lot of gifts for my coworkers that night.

DH and DS probably left around 7pm. DD and I had a LL for MMRR for the same time as fantasmic which we had not seen before. I asked her what she would prefer and she said fantasmic.

DD and I split an order of fries. Steak fries! In ABC commissary before heading to fantasmic. Side note: I really like all the theming around ABC commissary because I'm from burbank and the buildings look the same and I tell DD things aboit where mommy grew up.

On to fantasmic! We only arrived like 15min early and I don't remember exactly what happened but as we were getting into a seat someone cut in front of us and took it. Well a CM saw and then escorted us to a second row awesome seat!!!!



I couldn't believe how lucky we were!





We took selfies while we waited for it to start.

We both liked it but I wouldn't wait for it and DD didn't have a magical moment like she did with fireworks.

After the show DD wanted to buy a toy she saw earlier in the day as her HS souvenir.





And then we took the skyliner back and went to bed.

It was fun to have an unplanned night. (But I enjoy planning too much to not have a plan for every vacation)

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Friday May 10: Hollywood Studios Morning

Usual morning routine and off to the skyliner to rope drop Hollywood Studios! DD and DH rope dropped TSM and aliens. DS and I waited in the meet Ariel line (I learned my lesson from Anna and Elsa). But then no one else waited for her lol. So I guess she wasn't popular?? No matter DS just had fun running around the little area and since no one was there I could run around with him.


Ariel took her time with DD and asked her a lot of questions which is always nice.



The live action little mermaid was the very first movie DD saw in a movie theater and it was the first movie most of the girls in her preschool class saw in the movie theater so it was the talk of the town for awhile. DD's review of the movie: I liked how she saved herself but it was too long.



I think at this point I booked a last minute brunch reservation at Hollywood and vine since we had an extra TS credit to burn after cancelling our dinner the night before.

Then we headed towards the Disney jr dance party but first we met a friend

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Friday May 10: Hollywood Studios Morning cont

The Disney jr dance party was very cute and fun for the kids. Perfect for my kids' ages.

Then we had a LL for MMRR! I really liked this ride on our last trip. I was kind of amazed by the ride vehicle. I convinced to try as a whole family and I agreed to hold DS. And he didn't cry!! And didn't look upset!!!! DH thought this ride was very cool also.

Then it was time for Hollywood and Vine. I didn't book this one originally because it seemed to get mediocre reviews.



It was breakfast so Disney jr characters and it wasn't crowded .... Well I loved it. I thought the food was good but it was so so chill. The kids were happy and saw all the characters and I was happy to not feel crowded. This isn't a must do but a maybe do for me.







DS liked goofy and I think goofy liked DS. It's cute how he tried to copy goofy. I really like when the kids can actually interact like this with the kids versus just stop to take a picture. When the restaurant is really busy its hard to have moments like this

Then we took the skyliner back to CBR for naps and pool time...or maybe we skipped the pool today? I know we had a very important BBB reservation for the afternoon!

 

[princesserin1350]

Really loving your trip report! My husband and I don't have kids yet but I love the way you approach WDW with your family and adjust your plans to what the kids need or want to do. I hope to follow your approach when we do have kids! Can't wait for the rest of your report.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Really loving your trip report! My husband and I don't have kids yet but I love the way you approach WDW with your family and adjust your plans to what the kids need or want to do. I hope to follow your approach when we do have kids! Can't wait for the rest of your report.

Thank you for reading! I try to let the kids have as much day as possible (but with their ages I have to usually give 2 options or else it's just too much). Writing this report I do feel kinda bad for DS because he literally had no voice on this trip so he just tagged along until he couldn't for everything. And sometimes he liked it and sometimes he didn't. He can communicate pretty well now though so I hope he likes it and can have some say next time. (And it's very sweet to hear you want to take my approach because it's always nice to hear some validation with parenting.)