Megatron’s first commute to Walt Disney International used to be one among our perfect circle of relatives holidays, nevertheless it wasn’t with out demanding situations. That is the ‘grand finale’ to Child Bricker’s first WDW commute document, with proceeding protection of what went fallacious. It options pictures & ideas on forcing firsts, early mornings vs. past due nights, journey downtime, our Figment Fail and extra.
That is the fourth a part of our Walt Disney International commute document, the direct follow-up to our ‘guardian fails’ all the way through Megatron’s first WDW commute. Earlier than that, we shared ‘what went proper’ all the way through our circle of relatives commute – section 1 and section 2. In case you’re in search of the positives from this commute (and the vast majority used to be wonderful), take a look at the ones first two portions. They’re the heartwarming tales and pictures from Child Bricker’s first holiday to Walt Disney International.
Total, this used to be a laugh and immensely enjoyable as we rediscovered Walt Disney International as oldsters. It used to be additionally an enormous finding out enjoy and went some distance from flawlessly, however we wouldn’t industry this commute–warts and all–for the rest. Anyway, right here’s the general installment of this document with extra of our demanding situations in taking Child Bricker (Megatron) to Walt Disney International for the primary time. Let’s dig proper in…
Early Access & Rope Drop – Given the previously-discussed problems with Megatron’s sleep agenda, this isn’t going to come back as even a slight marvel, however we didn’t do a unmarried Early Access or rope drop as a circle of relatives. (I did a pair solo and may have stories on the ones quickly.) In combination, we made it to the parks prior to 11 a.m. a grand overall of 1 time.
The loss of rope drops used to be to be anticipated, as we have been holding Megatron on Pacific time. She will get up for the day at house between 5:30 and six a.m., and early as this is, it’s nonetheless too past due for Early Access if you account for purchasing in a position and transportation.
What I didn’t totally respect is simply how lengthy it could take to get out the door each and every morning. (Now I do know why the later Early Access at Magic Kingdom is such a lot busier than those that get started an hour previous!) For sure a lot more of a manufacturing to get a child in a position, and it gave the impression that by the point we were given the entirety executed, there have been sure steps of the ‘procedure’ that already needed to be repeated. Once more, I am hoping that is partly a “abilities factor” and as we turn out to be more proficient at touring, we’ll have the ability to get out the door quicker.
On the different finish of the spectrum, something I forgot to say as one thing that went proper used to be past due nights. Megatron’s “superb” bedtime at house is 7 to eight p.m. (giant time air quotes round superb), which is 10-11 p.m. Japanese. In consequence, we have been in a position to do park closings conveniently. We didn’t try Prolonged Night Hours, however assume we will be able to subsequent commute. That will likely be all the way through the warmer summer time months and we’ll wish to spend extra day out after darkish consequently.
Forcing Firsts – A couple of months in the past, we made ourselves a ‘Child Bricker Bucket Listing’ that still purposes as an inventory of meant firsts. Our pondering used to be that we wish to be practical about what she does and when, so we (and he or she) can glance again on the issues she did first at each and every of the parks and when. We additionally need in an effort to repeat sure milestones and recollections over time, so we needed to be strategic in opting for sights and stories that it will be round for many years to come back.
That is all a super concept in concept, and we will be able to kind of proceed to do it. The issue is that young children are about as unpredictable and sleepy as a space cat. We discovered ourselves placing issues off that we meant upon doing as a result of naps or different issues intervened. For instance, we deliberate on her dressed in a selected outfit for her first journey on Adventure into Creativeness, after which assembly Figment as we exited the journey. We additionally deliberate on her being wide awake for this.
We walked over to Adventure into Creativeness 3 separate occasions with that plan in thoughts. All thrice, she fell asleep all the way through the travel. Because it seems, EPCOT is a large park (who knew?) and the child provider is a great spot for a snooze! I’m now not certain that I essentially remorseful about this, as her first journey (wide awake!) on Adventure into Creativeness used to be in point of fact memorable.
Basically, despite the fact that, I feel we attempted to choreograph an excessive amount of with the firsts and that ended in us losing numerous time and doing extra strolling and less exact issues. The outcome with Adventure into Creativeness made that “price it,” however even that had one not-so-minor downside. At some point, we’ll be extra prepared to roll with the punches and simply let no matter occurs, occur.
Figment Fail – That one not-so-minor downside with Adventure into Creativeness is that Megatron has but to fulfill Figment. Between our past due begins, his restricted set agenda, and her falling asleep en path to the Creativeness Pavilion…it simply didn’t occur. We virtually known as an audible and went to EPCOT on our remaining partial day, however we might’ve had ~45 mins when all used to be stated and executed and that might’ve been a large waste had she simply fallen asleep once more. Plus, we’ve discovered {that a} 45 minute window can vanish very quickly in any respect with a child.
In truth, we don’t remorseful about this! Whilst it could’ve been nice to roll with the punches and do different issues whilst she used to be asleep, assembly Figment used to be now not a type of issues. It’s in point of fact essential to us that she’s wide awake for her first come across with Figment, as the entire meet & greets she’s executed whilst wide awake were particular and a laugh, while those she’s executed whilst asleep have now not. If that implies pushing Figment off till she’s probably much less enamored with characters (I do know there’s an ebb and drift), so be it.
Wanting scheduling a number of extra days at EPCOT, there used to be not anything lets’ve executed another way to steer clear of this. It wasn’t a mistake–simply one thing that went fallacious. Optimistically she’ll be visiting Walt Disney International for the remainder of her existence, so now not each main “first” needed to occur this primary commute. Right here’s hoping the Figment meet & greet occurs subsequent time!
Difficult Outfits – Megatron should store at Dan Flashes, as a result of her outfits are so difficult. I am getting why folks like lovely clothes ensembles for young children as they’re nice for pictures and all that, however It’s not that i am a fan. The extra items an outfit has, the much more likely one thing is to get misplaced or get bunched up within the child provider and purpose discomfort.
Most likely worst of all, it’s an incredible problem for inept people looking to alternate young children and suffering with socks or pants as child does their perfect Pelé impact. (No longer that I discuss from enjoy or the rest–simply taking a look out for my fellow fathers…or moms! However critically, why do not one of the parenting books speak about this? There will have to be a complete bankruptcy devoted to socks shenanigans.)
I’m the professional on numerous issues. that. I do know that. Uh, now not numerous issues. A couple of issues. However model is certainly one among them. And in my thought to be opinion, the head of child taste is the onesie and the highest fashion designer is the Area of Burt’s Bees. Surfing their lookbook for the Summer time 2024 season, and there are simply such a lot of putting kinds. Dinosaur onesies, dragon onesies, shark onesies. That’s a design staff on the best in their recreation; true child couture.
Part-joking apart, actually all of my favourite outfits for Megatron are from Burt’s Bees and so they pass arduous. Going ahead, I am hoping that she simplest wears onesies whilst touring for his or her ease and straightforwardness. I do know that if I may just escape with all the time dressed in one-piece pajamas in public, I completely would. We shouldn’t deprive her of this golden window of alternative prior to it turns into socially unacceptable.
Experience Downtime – This used to be now not distinctive to our commute. Many visitors at the present time appear to assume they skilled atypically unhealthy journey breakdowns all the way through their Walt Disney International holiday. Actually, that’s as a result of enchantment downtime is some distance upper than its historic moderate.
I’m now not certain whether or not that rationalization makes it higher or worse. Distress loves corporate, so possibly you’re taking solace understanding others are in the similar boat. Or perhaps you’re mad that Disney doesn’t deal with this identified factor. (In truth, I don’t know if it’s one thing they even can totally deal with. Bear in mind how we warned of the lack of institutional wisdom with the furloughs and layoffs again in 2020? Smartly, glance no additional than this for the “end result” of that short-sighted resolution, as upkeep departments were decimated and feature some distance fewer years of tenure.)
Both means, this used to be a topic for us once more. It used to be additionally a larger deal, perception-wise, when visiting with Megatron for the primary time since there are extra shifting items with a child. While on a solo commute or when it’s simply the 2 people, we will be able to briefly pivot when what we meant to do is down. No longer in point of fact that giant of a deal, excluding all the way through Early Access. It used to be certainly extra hectic this time, and I will be able to see how this is able to be much more irritating with older children, grandparents, or any individual with mobility problems.
Animal Kingdom – We have been extra excited to take Megatron to Animal Kingdom than every other park at Walt Disney International. Smartly, excluding for EPCOT. Ok, and Magic Kingdom. However we have been certainly extra excited for DAK than DHS…and 3rd position out of 4 remains to be decent!
This used to be solely for the animals. She loves Yossarian the Cat and Walter Dogsney–and I imply loves them. The cat particularly, as a result of he’s very cat-like and spends his day tucked away in random bins and napping within the closet, so she doesn’t see him a lot. But if Yossarian comes up for deal with time and he or she spots him, she is going nuts. Yossarian most likely ranks upper than I do along with her.
Megatron additionally in point of fact likes seeing the child geese and cats at Disneyland, so we assumed Animal Kingdom could be a house run along with her. That it could simply blow her thoughts with otters, unique pigs, flamingos, giant cats, and so on.
We assumed fallacious. As perfect I will be able to 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 stored that specialize in the foreground–and there used to be all the time one thing closer to her than the critters. So it didn’t subject {that a} in point of fact cool creature that might’ve blown her thoughts used to be off within the distance, as a result of she had to determine what used to be up with the pole inside of her succeed in. And by way of that, I imply she needed to try to seize it so she may just lick it.
Since we don’t let her lick any international items, Animal Kingdom used to be a large unhappiness for her. (What’s the purpose of these types of posts in the event that they can’t be licked?!) Because of this, Megatron’s favourite “animal park” is a crown nonetheless held by way of Disneyland because of its ducklings, goslings (child ducks, now not Ryan), cats, and different different critters. DAK used to be her least favourite park and certainly our least favourite as oldsters. As soon as you’re taking the animals out of the equation, there’s now not a ton to do for young children.
That’s in point of fact the salient level of this from a making plans point of view. When you’ve got a child and are debating which park to skip at Walt Disney International, give severe idea to Animal Kingdom. Earlier than this commute, I’d’ve assumed Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be the park to skip given how thrill-centric it’s turn out to be and what number of sights have peak necessities. However DHS is extra attainable and relaxing with young children, no less than in our view.
Animal Kingdom’s factor is that there’s now not a ton for any individual, however young children have it particularly tough as lots of the rides price doing have peak necessities and/or are jerky. It’s additionally a sizzling park with a ton of space to traverse, and now not many “low stakes” choices for sitting in air-conditioning, because the degree displays are all slightly lengthy and concerned. In most cases that’s a just right factor from our point of view, however now not such a lot with an toddler. It’s tricky to devote that a lot time to a fine quality manufacturing in an enormous theater, as you don’t wish to disturb different visitors if issues pass sideways, and leaving briefly isn’t precisely simple.
Unsurprisingly, Magic Kingdom used to be some distance and away the most productive park for a child. We went in totally anticipating that as a result of Magic Kingdom is arguably the most productive park for all age teams with the most important and maximum well-rounded slate of sights–and likewise as it’s our non-public favourite. We’re additionally giant EPCOT lovers, after all, however we ended up being rather stunned at simply how just right of a park that used to be for young children. The entire indoor pavilions be offering massive merit; there also are sufficient smaller scale and coffee stakes sights which are great and comfortable for young children.
Famous person Sarah – This isn’t one thing that went fallacious, however fairly, the rationale this checklist isn’t double or triple its period. Whilst I’m actually suffering to position on pants (each my very own and the child’s on her), Sarah is singlehandedly conserving the entire operation in combination. Simply have a look at her within the photograph above…she’s now not even flexing!
To not perpetuate the bumbling dad stereotype–I’d like to consider myself as semi-competent and I in reality hate now not being just right at the rest–however I simply appear to come across extra, ahem, technical difficulties with Megatron. For instance, socks. How do you stay them on a child and, moreover, how on earth do you get them again on (assuming you don’t lose them outright) the ones tiny, continuously shifting ft? If Megatron is simplest 50% sockless when left in my care, I take that as a win.
Sarah someway manages to do all of it flawlessly, in a perpetual state of sleep deprivation with out criticism. I don’t know when the remaining time used to be that she were given ~3 hours of uninterrupted sleep, however certainly now not within the 12 months 2024. Perhaps someday remaining November? There used to be a short lived window the place issues looked to be swell prior to sleep regression reared its unpleasant head. I’m in consistent awe that Sarah has controlled the power and calls for of this 24/7 process with out lacking a beat. I’d be completely dropping my thoughts.
At house and all the way through this commute, Sarah does and did the heavy lifting. I assist the place I will be able to, from sporting Megatron to rocking her to sleep at night time, amongst different issues. However there are barriers on what I’m in a position to do as contrasted with Sarah. When the child begins crying and Howdy Endure (my remaining defensive line) can’t get her to prevent, there are simplest two issues Megatron needs, and I don’t have the ones. I’m obviously a far off 2nd favourite, possibly #3 at the back of Yossarian.
In spite of everything, fortunately a lot more went proper than fallacious on our first commute to Walt Disney International. A minimum of 90% of that used to be because of Sarah being a super mother, expecting issues and wishes prior to they get up and making all of it appear simple. I’m very, very conscious that it’s maximum certainly now not simple, as a result of after I’m working the display, we’re having hassle simply holding ft totally socked. Even though I suppose perhaps those commute stories would’ve been “more uncomplicated” if it have been me in rate, as a result of what went fallacious would’ve been a one phrase put up: the entirety.
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 fallacious, however simply “went.” This contains numerous issues, from two of the hardest airports any place (Los Angeles and Orlando) to the flights to desk provider foods and extra.
The excellent news is this commute used to be a super finding out enjoy for us, and we’ve already put probably the most courses to make use of. I’m so happy we did this prior to touring to Tokyo Disney Hotel for the primary time, as this enjoy taught us so much and reshaped our manner. From issues so simple as packing extra successfully to finding out the way to higher modify her sleep agenda. Already, the second one commute goes higher than Child Bricker’s first!
As we proceed to get extra enjoy underneath our belts, we’ll get started sharing recommendation fairly than first hand stories. Flying with a child is a large one from that point of view, however we’ll even have extra on child dressed in, navigating puts with and with out a stroller, persona meal opinions, and a ton extra. For now, thank you for becoming a member of us in this adventure–we are hoping you discovered one thing from what went fallacious all the way through Child Bricker’s first commute to Walt Disney International…or no less than had fun at my and Sarah’s expense!
Making plans a Walt Disney International commute? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney International Motels Critiques web page. For the place to devour, learn our Walt Disney International Eating place Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to shop for, learn our Guidelines for Saving Cash on Walt Disney International Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular have a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney International Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most productive position to start out is our Walt Disney International Go back and forth Making plans Information for the entirety you wish to have to grasp!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on what went fallacious or proper all the way through Child Bricker’s first commute to Walt Disney International? Anything you’re excited about studying about with reference to Megatron, young children within the parks, and so forth? Anecdotes of your personal about first visits to the Disney parks? Another questions? Listening to your comments is all the time preferred, so please percentage your ideas underneath within the feedback!