Trip Report The One Where Elsa Followed Us To WDW

If I don't start this now... I never will!

When: December 3-11, 2024
Why: Our annual trip with our little family. We usually go late January/early February, but wanted a Christmas trip!
Where: Art of Animation Lion King family suite
Who: Me (Annie), my husband Ian, and my 2-year-old Nora (she turns 3 on NYE!)

I took SO SO many photos, I hope you are all ready LOL

Without further ado..

Our trip week kicked off with a rough start. On Sunday, we took Nora to see Moana 2. She did so well and LOVED it.

We got home and I proceeded to have the most violent food poisoning of my life for the next 30ish hours. SO AWFUL. I kept crying thinking it wouldn't be over in time for our trip. Somehow, I was okay on Tuesday morning when we got up to get ready to go to the airport but it was touch and go for a while there!!

Our flight was at noon out of Boston, so my dad picked us up around 8 to head from Maine to Boston.

We traveled in matching sweatshirts

We got into the city and through security pretty easily.

We checked two bags that weighed in at EXACTLY 50 pounds each. I guess this is the last trip we can get away with no suitcase for Nora!

Speaking of Nora, she was a huge fan of the escalators and moving walkways in the airport.

Once we found our gate and ensured it existed, we went to the play area to let her blow off some steam.

After running around like a chicken with her head cut off, it was time for some donuts from Dunkin.

We had more than enough time as things had been running very smoothly. We headed back to let Nora do some more playing before boarding.

We do not board early because I do not need MORE time with a toddler in a confined space lol

Ian got the carseat loaded up and soon we were taking off.

We do not do screens at home apart from family movies together, so the seatback TV kept Nora entertained the entire flight. I personally wished she would've napped, but she was an angel, and I was grateful lol

3 hours later we made it to MCO around 4 PM!

Nora was excited about the "monorail"

to be continued!

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

It was such a beautiful night.

Once again, we were sat quickly and ready to eat!

Buffet plate pics are awful but I do it all for y'all

I just wanted to try everything, and I probably went up like three more times to do so.

Loving the nautical decor, feels like home.

The desserts were SO GOOD.

You all. This was Ian's FAVORITE MEAL of the entire trip. Like.. he needs to return for our babymoon trip LOL I enjoyed and was happy he was happy so WIN WIN.

After supper, we checked out the gingerbread display.

Nora was PRETTY sad she couldn't ride the horses.

We grabbed some treats to bring home to my parents as a thank you for watching our dog Gus before heading out to the boat and ultimately back to AoA on the Skyliner.

It was a PERFECT resort day. Nora was giving me all the sleepy tired hugs before bed and we still had more fun to be had!

 

[RememberWhen]

My DD3 declared that Pluto is her favorite on our Dec/Jan trip! Nora is so sweet and will be such a lovely big sister!

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

Our last FULL day!

And a busy one at that. This was our first BBB experience and was the main goal of the day. Anything else we could accomplish was bonus.

We got up and going pretty easily and made it to MK prior to the start of Early Entry.

I wanted a few castle pictures before the day got away from us.

One of my faves from this trip

We were lined up here about 20 minutes before early entry.

Nora took it upon herself to push in all the chairs that were askew lol

Of course, 5 minutes before opening Nora insists she needs her diaper changed. UGH. Luckily, we were right across from a restroom but we did have to do a million "sorry, excuse me, sorry" through a see of people twice.

We made it back in time, and soon we were headed somewhere you wouldn't expect for park opening.

We had decided that we just wanted to do things that made Nora happy.

And for her, that was Barnstormer!

She had soooo much fun!

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

Up next, we walked right on to Dumbo and decided to all ride together for our last time of the trip!

We hurried on over to Speedway after that, the line was only about 20 minutes.

I accidently caught a lovely toddler moment lol

Nora insisted on riding with Dad.

We had time to do one more ride before BBB, so we decided on Buzz!

We ended up stuck for awhile on Buzz so had to HAUL it to BBB after we exited.

We checked in right on the dot for our appointment, and before long we were meeting with our fairy godmother.

Nora was a little freaked out but transfixed by the magic mirror!

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

Alright y'all, things are about to get real photo heavy so bear with me lol

Nora chose the Elsa dress because Let It Go was her current fave!

We only waited a few minutes before heading back for her appointment!

It was busier and louder in there than I expected!

Nora did SUCH a good job sitting still. She had no interest in interacting with or talking to her fairy godmother lol but Ian and I were tearing up watching her because she just seemed like such a big girl in that moment.

I was already envisioning dealing with those sparkles for the foreseeable future haha

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

Time for possibly my favorite picture and total personality photo of my child:

I now use this picture as a meme when texting with Ian LOL

Finally she was all done and waving to her royal subjects.

She loved the gifts she received as well.

We headed over to get some pictures taken.

This one!!!!

We loved this experience for our family and Nora. These moments are fleeting and childhood is too short so I love that we will have these memories forever.

 

[RememberWhen]

We did BBB for the first time with our kiddos (7 and 3) and their cousins (6 and 3) and it was so magical. So glad you all did this and can’t wait for the next time Nora gets BBB’d!! Also that glitter must have super glue incorporated into it….

 

[mpaulam]

Time for possibly my favorite picture and total personality photo of my child:

OMG! That is hilarious!

 

[cgersic]

Sooooo sweet!!!! And sooooo serious!!! Y'all are just the cutest

 

[erstwo]

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View attachment 845953

I love all of the photos - but these two - they are the sweetest!!

Do BBB as many times as she wants/ you can - it goes by so fast!

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

We had snagged a LL for Pooh, so headed that way.

We made it on the ride and off in record time.

NOW for what Nora had been begging for all day - another ride on Mine Train! I thanked my past self for getting two ILLs for SDMT this trip.

I got to ride with Nora this time!

She loved it yet again!

We had a lunch reservation for LTT and a LL for Little Mermaid right before it. Ian was HANGRY though, so we had to make a pit stop for... you guessed it..

SHOCKER lol

Quick ride on Little Mermaid!

We ended up stuck here for a WHILE and were BOOKING it to LTT. To the point where I was apologizing for my lateness and hoping we would still be sat.

We were, and quickly!

Yummy rolls!

It was getting HOT and so the salad was extra refreshing.

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

My sprint across the park had me craving an adult beverage, and since we were on the dining plan I got a mimosa!

It hit the spot, while Nora preferred the rolls lol

Ian was embarrassed because a child must be 3 or older to do BBB (Nora was 3 weeks shy of 3 on this trip) but they allowed her to do it. Alternately, children under 3 eat free at buffets and family style eat meals. He was nervous that I told our server she was 2 but was clearly just at BBB. Our waiter did NOT care y'all lol I told Ian we have the REST of our lives to pay handsomely for Nora at WDW haha

Time for the spread. Everything was hot and fresh!

Including dessert of course

That morning, I had secured a boarding group for Tiana in hopes that Ian would be able to ride it. When we measured Nora at 38 inch required rides, she was over that height. So, we decided to test it out and see if she could do it too for Tiana!

Passed some pals on the way.

And how did Nora fair in the height department?

JUST short. They said her bun made it difficult but because they weren't sure they were going with no. No problem for me, I thanked them and sent Ian on his way but Nora was pretty sad

I told her we could go do something just us girls!

I grabbed a Pirates LL and we headed that way.

After Pirates, we headed to the hub to settle in for the Festival of Fantasy 3 PM parade. This was PUSHING naptime soooo hard but it was our last day!!

We did some posing while waiting.

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

Ian found us shortly before the parade started, thankfully!

Nora was immediately enthralled.

She waved to every character and every float

It was worth pushing naptime, but after the parade concluded we knew we were on borrowed time and booked it out of there.

Ian's picture popped up on the way out!

We fought the crowds to eventually make it to the bus, and made it back to AoA without issue.

Nora and Ian went to nap and I went to the pool as usual.

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

It was late, so chilly, so I did laundry and had a treat instead of swimming.

I was texting Ian and we decided that since it was so late, we would not go to a park this evening - just have dinner at the resort and relax a bit.

And we did just that. Nora wasn't up from her nap until after 5 PM, and we headed to get food.

I was DYING for a salad, so got a chicken Caesar. Ian went with chicken parm and nuggets for Nora!

We used some snack credits to get some treats that were, IMO, just okay.

Nora enjoyed turning her tongue and face blue though!

After dinner, we decided to let Nora experience the magic of watching a Disney movie on the lawn. She had never seen Cars but is now obsessed with Mater lol

We let her watch for a half hour or so before calling it a night.

It was another magical day and we were SO SAD to be leaving the next. But - a final magical adventure was still to come in the morning!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Ian's and his log companions made the best picture. Everyone's facial expression is fantastic!

 

[littleroo]

I can't tell you how thrilled I am for you and your family Nora is going to be such a great big sister! All of her pictures are adorable and definitely capture the last of her toddler moments.

 

[Tiki Traveler]

The princess photos w/dad and then the pink sneakers are so sweet! Seeing a princess in the park always makes me smile.

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

It is our tradition to do a late breakfast at Chef Mickey's on our travel home day if we get a later flight. Our flight was at 4 PM, so we had plenty of time!

In the morning, we packed up and dropped ALLLLLL the things with bell services before taking the bus to MK.

She was excited to show Minnie her dress (also insisted on carrying her BBB purse lol)

We made it about 10 minutes before our reservation time.

As ALWAYS with Chef Mickey's, it took forever and ever to be called to be seated. We got creative with ways to kill time, including many many rides up and down the escalator and visit to the gingerbread display.

We got suckered into some shopping too, but Nora had been so good and hadn't asked really for much of anything. She REALLY wanted baby Pluto so she got him!

How can you deny that happy face?!

STILL more time to kill (45 minutes so far), so we played with the wiki sticks I had in the stroller.

Nora was pretty restless and grumpy by the time we were finally sat, so we headed to the buffet pretty quickly to load up.

As always, buffet pics are just for the report not for aesthetics lol

Nora focused in on the food and I was grateful we had time to chow down before characters started showing up.

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

We were pretty stuffed by the time our friends made the rounds.

We had a lady eating solo next to us which worked out well. I would take her picture for her, and she would in turn take a family one for us when it was our turn!

The boss mouse was up first. Nora went RIGHT in for a hug.

Minnie was next and I loveeee this picture and how Nora is looking at her.

She kept looking up at Goofy because he was so darn tall lol

Finally Donald was last up!

He went right from our table into the dance party and Nora was first to join in. It was so cute how into it she was!

As always, we enjoyed our time (despite the wait) and grabbed our photo before heading out.

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

We had planned to walk the path back to the bus at MK, but it was POURING so we decided to take the monorail. Except... so did everyone else. We survived the wait, but it took awhile.

Nora started falling asleep on the ride.

Luckily the rain stopped by the time we got off back at MK. We said a sad goodbye to MK!

We got to the AoA bus stop and the line was LONG. Like.. end of the night long. We couldn't figure out what was going on until we heard someone say they had been waiting an hour and a half. WHAT?!

We were running REALLY short on time, so we decided to run over to the Pop bus. We got dirty looks from folks in the AoA line and someone yelled out "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU ALL ARE GOING??"

Excuse me, I do not need to answer to you.

We got on a Pop bus within 5 minutes.

We really had to book it back to AoA (through the rain) once we got back as we were really pushing it on time to get our Uber to the airport.

It was a mad rush, but we made it to our Uber.

Of course, Nora fell asleep 5 minutes from the airport lol

Security was a breeze and we were approaching our gate before long.

Time for a snack!

And then... we find out our flight has been delayed an hour.

Then 2 hours.

And on and on.

AHHHHHH. I tried to walk Nora around in the stroller to get her to fall asleep but she refused of course. So it was just managing her in a packed airport for HOURS.

This is how she felt about it:

I was trying to keep my dad updated as he was picking us up back in Boston.

We eventually made it on the flight many hours later.

Nora once again refused to sleep, but she was happy watching a movie or two.

We eventually made it home around 1 AM, and had to work the next day ugggghhhh but we survived.

This was SUCH an amazing trip. I had not gone through my IVF transfer for my pregnancy yet but did shortly after this trip. I've already been dreaming about what our first trip as a family of 4 will look like.

Real quick look at our new ornaments. We get a new one on every trip! Nora picked Dumbo and we picked the Skyliner because of all the fun we had on it this trip.

Thank you all again for reading. Next Wednesday, March 5th, I will be doing my 24 hour Disney trip with my mom!! Stay tuned for that super short TR lol